Peoples Daily Newspaper, Thursday 15, August, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 11 No. 64

Thursday, August 15, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Shawwal 8, 1434 AH

Senate abandons fuel subsidy scam report

N150

>>Pg 3

JTF kills Shekau’s deputy From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri, and Joy Baba, Abuja

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peratives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Borno state, yesterday claimed they have killed one Momodu Bama, who was believed to be the deputy to Abubakar Shekau, proclaimed leader of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah lid Da’awati wal Jihad, popular referred to as Boko Haram.

Bama, according to the security operatives, was killed early this month in a gun-duel. This was further confirmed in a press statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade.

The Battalion Commander of the Special Operation Unit of the JTF in Adamawa state, Lt. Col. Beydi Markus Martins, had on Tuesday claimed that its forces killed two wanted Boko Contd. on Page 2

L-R: Governors Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos, Kashim Shettima of Borno, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, and Imo state Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, after the first post-registration meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

PDP Reconciliation

G6 insists on Amaechi as NGF chairman

By Lawrence Olaoye

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n what appears to be the consensus of the six governors currently identified as

Kano set to ban tricycles >> Pg 9

opposition arrowheads within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamawa state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, yesterday insisted that the Rivers

state governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, must be recognized as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Nyako, who spoke with State

New Naira notes out Sept >> Pg 19

House correspondents at the Presidential villa after conferring with President Goodluck Jonathan privately said, the question of asking Amaechi to step down as

the NGF chairman in the name of reconciliation in the ruling party did not arise.

Our sources hinted that Nyako Contd. on Page 2

Dozens killed in crackdown on Mursi supporters >> Pg 32-33

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

News Editorial

12

Shema vs ex-SSG: Court summons Mustapha Inuwa, counsel

Op.Ed

13

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

Letters

14

Opinion

15

CONTENTS News

2-10

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch

23

S/Report

24-25

Earth

26-27

Update

28-29

20 minutes with Bill Clinton - Up against ‘Big Poppa’, Pages 24-25

Int’l

31-34

Strange World

35

Digest

36

Politics

37-38

Newsxtra

39-40

Sports

41-46

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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chief magistrate’s court sitting in Katsina yesterday summoned a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Mustapha Inuwa to appear before it and answer allegations of defamation leveled against him.

Also subpoenaed by the court to appear along with Inuwa is his counsel, both of who failed to show up in court in a case of defamation

filed by Katsina state governor, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema against the ex-SSG. The visiting Chief Magistrate, Aminu Tukur, Esq. who declined to issue a warrant of arrest of Inuwa, simply ordered that summons be issued to him and his sureties, to appear in court on the next adjourned date, which is September 10.

It would be recalled that the judge handling the alleged defamation case between the current governor and the

former top bureaucrat had to be substituted following a petition by counsel to Governor Shema, Barrister Uyi Igunma.

Barrister Igunma had written rejecting the magistrate’s ruling to continue hearing on the case despite the governor’s counsel’s earlier rejection of the court’s position.

At the previous sitting therefore, the magistrate decided to hands off the case based on directives of the state chief judge in line with the plaintiff counsel’s

petition.

A shouting match had ensued at the previous sitting between the counsel to the accused, Barrister Ernest Ogunnadike and that of the complainant, following the judge’s announcement that he had been instructed by the state chief judge to hands off the case.

Counsel to the complainant had interrupted that of the accused while making a verbal application for the letter from the state chief judge directing the transfer of the case, whereas the latter alleged that what the former was applying for was a normal administrative process of the court that ought not to be done during the court sitting.

G6 insists on Amaechi as NGF chairman Contd. from Front Page was mandated to voice this position on behalf of the six ‘revolting’ PDP governors that have lately come to be identified as the ‘G6’.

Other members of the bloc include the governors of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido; Kano state, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso; Niger, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, their Sokoto state counterpart, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, as well as the new entrant to the group, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state.

Five of the six northern governors (excluding Kwara’s Abdulfatah Ahmed) had toured the country consulting with critical political stakeholders on the state of the nation.

They began the consultations with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and have since met with former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar , Second Republic President, Shehu Shagari and former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, amongst others.

Their trouble-shooting efforts through the consultation strategy, it is believed, brought about Obasanjo’s intervention into the

crises rocking the ruling party.

It was reported that there was a suggestion that both Amaechi and the Plateau state governor, who is equally laying claims to the leadership of the NGF, may be asked to step down to pave way for the emergence of a new leader considered neutral for the Forum.

But, in apparent reaction to this insinuation, the Adamawa state governor insisted that Jang of Plateau did not win the election, pointing out that the question of whether Amaechi should step down did not even arise. “Step down for what? Did he (Jang) win the election?,” he asked.

Giving the qualities of a probable leader of the NGF, Nyako said such a person should be confident, trustworthy, a team player and capable of commanding the respect of even the president.

He said a standard of who should lead the governors has already been established, stating that such leader “must be somebody we trust.

“I would like to have a leader of the Forum who, when he is with the president in the small room talking about Adamawa state, can put in one word for Adamawa state.

It should not be someone who will aggravate issues in the eyes of Mr. President.

“That element of trust must be there. If I vote for somebody, it must be somebody I could trust”, Governor Nyako emphasized.

Another attribute of a probable NGF leader, according to the Adamawa state governor, is that “he should add some value to Mr. president.

“If you have a Forum leader who is seen to be part of the president; that has become a yes man of Mr. President, then the governors will say ‘he is not representing our interests’. If he is not representing the interest of the governors, he is not representing the interests of the ordinary Nigerians.”

He insisted that by virtue of the result of the NGF election, Amaechi remains the authentic chairman of the body as he said: “When you say 16, 17,18, 19, 20, even someone who is in elementary school knows which is higher.

“If one group got 19 votes, the other one got 16 in a democracy, even in the eyes of the people in elementary school, they know that 19 is higher than 16.

“It should not be turned into controversy. We all agreed that whoever got the highest figure won the election”, he stressed.

According to him, all these were part of what they told Obasanjo on Monday and Tuesday nights.

“It was part of it; but you should understand the rationale. What we are saying here is that if he (Jang) is going to step down because he is second winner, then that is their business and it is not the business of others or the winner to tell you step down.

“He (Jang) is number two; he got the second highest votes and that is the way forward. Step down for what? From number two to where? Number three or four?,” Nyako queried rhetorically.

The Adamawa governors statements yesterday were the clearest indications that Obasanjo’s efforts to reconcile members of the G6 with Jonathan had ended in a deadlock.

In the meantime, our reporter learnt that the opposition governors currently on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 8th day Fidau prayers for Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola’s father on Tuesday, engaged their leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in a closed door meeting.

Although they did not officially disclose the subject matter of the secret meeting, a source close to the leaders told our reporter that the opposition governors resolved not to recognize anybody as the NGF chairman, besides Amaechi.

JTF kills Shekau’s deputy Contd. from Front Page Haram leaders, Bama and one Muhammad Zakariya’u, who have N10 million bounties each on their heads.

However, spokesman of the task force in Borno, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, while reacting to that claim by Lt. Col. Martins, said in a statement yesterday that Bama was killed in a gun-duel with security forces when the militants attacked the Police Mobile Base in Bama town, the administrative headquarters of Bama local government area of the state.

He said contrary to reports in some national dallies, Bama was not killed last Tuesday in Mubi town, Adamawa state, but lost his life in a gun battle with JTF operatives on August 4.

“The JTF troops during the Boko Haram terrorists’ attack on Mobile Police Base in Bama town on 4 August, 2013, killed Momodu Bama aka Abu Saad, and his father Abatcha Flatari. Momodu Bama was the terrorists’ Operation Officer and Second-in- Command to Abubakar Shekau, the terrorists’ spiritual leader.

“Bama was one of the most vicious and heartless killers in the group with penchant for slaughtering his victims. He had a bounty of N25 million placed on him by the JTF. Momodu Bama’s father, Abatcha Flatari was one of the spiritual mentors of Boko Haram terrorists in charge of indoctrinating child foot soldiers who are mainly abducted children. Both were killed during

the terrorists’ attack on Bama”, the statement further declared.

The task force added that even before his killing, the JTF had placed N25 million ransom on his head and not N10 million as claimed by the earlier reports.

Musa said, before he was killed, the JTF had Bama’s brief biography as an indigene of Bama town and belongs to the highest decision making body of the sect (Shura council), and that he spoke Kanuri, Hausa, Arabic and English languages.

According to the Borno JTF spokesman, the killing of Shekau’s second-in-command was confirmed by some of the insurgents arrested around the Bama corridors.

The statement said Bama, who

was a specialist in manning the anti-aircraft guns of the group, has been leading several attacks against troops and other innocent citizens in communities in Yobe and Adamawa.

The statement also said the troops are continuing the pursuit of the terrorists while intensifying aggressive aerial and land patrols to ensure better security cover for the communities especially in the two states.

A report by Premium Times said yesterday that security sources hinted that the killed Boko Haram commander spearheaded kidnap of Nigeria’s first indigenous Petroleum Resources Minister, Shettima Ali Monguno, seven French citizens, among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

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News Tension in Kebbi over Boko Haram threat From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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L-R: Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a handshake with Chairperson, Federation of Women Lawyers, Adamawa state chapter, Barrister Helen John-Edwin, during the group’s visit to Atiku, yesterday in Yola.

APC govs warn NASS against LG autonomy From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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ine out of the 11 governors belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC), attended the maiden meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital yesterday.

Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Imo state Governor was represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, while the Yobe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, who is away in Saudi Arabia, sent in his apologies.

The governors present at the meeting included Umaru Tanko Al-makura (host), Kashim Shettima, ( Borno), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rafiu Aregbesola (Osun), Babatunde Raji Fashola (Lagos), Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibikunle A. Amuson (Ogun) and Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole (Edo).

The governors arrived the Presidential Lodge in Lafia, venue of the meeting and shortly after, at around 11am, went into a closed door session which lasted till about 4 pm.

Arising from the meeting, which

according to the spokesman of the forum, Fayemi, deliberated on a number of national issues on the ongoing dialogue to salvage the nation and proffer solutions on moving the country forward, as well as strategies to compliment effort of the interim national executives to strengthen the party, the forum resolved among others.w According to a communiqué at the end of the meeting, members congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registering the and hoped that hoping that such “nationalistic and patriotic gesture” will continue to guide the conduct of the electoral body with respect to its statutory mandate.

The communiqué also expressed its confidence in the interim national executives of the party in the ongoing effors at repositioning the party as a credible alternative to the teaming Nigerians yearning for change.

It also restated its commitment to the process of the party formation and consolidation in line with the ongoing effort of the national leadership and with the understanding of the

PGF as it relates to the development of healthy relationship among members of the party.

On the issue of Constitution amendment, the PGF said it recognised the fact that federalism is the basis of sovereignty of the country, and resolved that the issue of local government administration is a matter within the purview of the federating unit and every attempt to legislate by the National Assembly on any aspect of local government administration will tilt the country towards a unitary state, which the Forum said, will undermine and weaken the fundamental principles of true federalism.

The forum also deliberated on revenue allocation and noted that in spite of recommendations made to the Presidency, no effect has been given to the extant proposals on the need to give more funds to the states and local governments because that is where the citizens reside, calling for the the transfer of powers to alter the revenue allocation formula currently with the Presidency to be vested in the National Assembly henceforth.

The PGF condemned the killing

of security operatives at Alakyo by the outlawed Ombatse militia and commended the Nasarawa state government for the proactive steps taken in instituting a Judicial Commission of Enquiry with a view to bringing to book the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

ear has gripped residents of Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi state capital yesterday as news of threat by the Boko Haram insurgent group spread.

Reports said that the development might have forced a beef up of security in the area.

Confirming the report to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Dalhatu Mainagge, stated that the police command received intelligence report of bomb threat to be carried out from today (yesterday) in parts of the state and on government facilities in the metropolis and other major towns across the state.

“As I talk to you now, high level of security meeting is going on here at the Command headquarters and at the end all arms of the security in the state will be fully deployed to embark on 24 hours patrol of every nook and cranny of the state,” he said.

The police spokesman however appealed to members of the public to be more watchful and report any strange people and movements in and around them to the police or other security agencies.

He said that, “with the Boko Haram sect in the North-east of the country, the displaced members of the sect are now relocating and seeking new places of abode in other parts of the country especially in the northern states and we must be watchful.’’

FG Approves N8.7bn for primary school textbooks

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he federal government has approved N8.7 billion for printing and distribution of about four million primary and junior secondary school textbooks and library resources materials nationwide.

According to the Ministers of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, the project will be funded through 15 per cent of the consolidated revenue of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

The books are expected to be available in six weeks to pupils in primary one to six and those in junior secondary schools.

The books are on English

Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Social Studies and Library resources materials and will be provided free of charge.

This was one of the outcomes of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday.

The council also approved the sum of N2.138 m for a contract for the supply of water to the Abuja technology village and environs, N427 million for tender and design of engineering infrastructure contract in Kyami district along Airport Road as well as purchase of 40 vehicles as part of the preparation for the National Population Commission (NPC) Census in 2016.

Senate abandons subsidy scam report

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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leven months after the Senator representing Kwara Central, Bukola Saraki, raised the issue of fraud in the management of fuel subsidy, nothing has been heard about the allegation and the investigation which the Senate carried out on the matter.

Peoples Daily gathered that the Senate Committee on Downstream, headed by Magnus Abe, which was mandated to investigate the issue,

in conjunction with the Committee on Finance and Appropriation, had submitted their reports six months ago, yet the issue has never been listed for discussion on the Senate’s order schedule.

After Saraki raised the alarm on Wednesday, the 12th of October, 2011, the Senate directed its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance to investigate the operation of the fuel subsidy scheme with a view to unraveling the fraud inherent

in the system.

Currently, the atmosphere is rife with confusion that the report of the Senate panel which indicted some notable government officials and friends to the former and current presidents may have been swept under the carpet.

During the investigative hearing, several issues were revealed on the management of the fuel subsidy scheme which indicated that some friends of the government were neck-deep in the fraud.

When contacted, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Itah Enang, said the senate is on recess, adding that he could not comment on the matter offhand without documented details.

Also, in his reaction, Chairman of the Senate committee that investigated the fraud, Magnus Abe, said he had submitted his report to the Senate, adding that it is left for the Senate leadership to decide how to go about it.

However, efforts to get the spokesman of the Senate to react to the issue proved abortive, as his phone was not available up till press time yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan had on January 1, 2012, removed subsidy on fuel, saying that fraud has made the scheme unsustainable.

The decision saw the fuel pump price rising from N65 to N97, which was accompanied by mass protests across the country.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

News Reps laud CBN over withdrawal of public sector funds

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its decision to withdraw public funds from commercial banks.

The committee in a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Jones Chukwudi Onyereri, said the policy decision by CBN to increase the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for public sector deposit in banks to 50 per cent was a welcome development.

He said that at different interactive fora with the CBN and other financial institutions including the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the committee had stressed the need for the withdrawal of public funds from commercial banks so that banks can go back and focus on their core banking functions.

According to him, the withdrawal of public funds from commercial banks will force banks to look for alternative funds which will in turn lead to offering of better incentives to the public, including higher deposit rates and an increase in private sector lending.

“Though it is the Committee’s goal to see to a total withdrawal of public sector funds from the commercial banks, the Committee applauds CBN for taking this important step and for seeing the benefit in the Committee’s stance on this matter and the obvious added value such action will bring to the private sector.”

He added that the committee believes that in the long term, the action will bring the much-needed respite for the consumers from high bank charges, lack of banking incentives and high interest rates.

“The over reliance of our commercial banks on public sector funds has led to a total neglect of the private sector by the banks as they see the public sector fund as a cash cow which has resulted in a decline in their entrepreneurial drive.

“Our committee will continue to work with CBN and other financial bodies towards improving lending to the private sector at reduced rates and the overall wellbeing of Nigerians”, the statement said.

Boko Haram: Forum urges FG to provide jobs for Civilian JTF From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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Non-Governmental Organisation, the Northern Youth Unity Forum, yesterday called on the Federal Government to provide jobs for the Youth Vigilance Volunteer Group otherwise known as Civilian JTF, hunting suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state, in order to make them self reliance.

Coordinator of the forum, Malam Usman Mustapha, made

the call at a press briefing, saying the move was imperative so that the youth could have legitimate sources of livelihood to keep them busy and divert their attention from crime as well as other social vices.

Mustapha noted that the vigilante group was making positive impact towards the restoration of peace in the state, warning that when the Boko Haram insurgency is over, they might have nothing doing to keep them busy.

“We really applaud the selfless

role being played by the youth in hunting the insurgents which led to the gradual return of peace, hence the need for the government and relevant stakeholders to put heads together and unveil measures that would empower them to be self reliance” , he said.

The group also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his concern and show of statesmanship in the distribution of relief materials to the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states Similarly, the Coordinator

lauded Governor Kashim Shettima and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Tijjani Bukar, for their roles in ensuring peaceful distribution of the presidential materials to the people regardless of religious or political affiliations.

“The entire people of this affected zone are thankful to Mr. President for the gesture and to inform him that the packages have been duly delivered and are been disposed appropriately through the effort of his trusted minister, Bukar Tijjani.” , the group said

R-L:President Goodluck Jonathan, presenting souvenir to United States Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Wiendy Sherman, during her visit to the president, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

Kaduna Legislature moves to impeach Speaker From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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fter several hours of closed door session yesterday, efforts by members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly to impeach the Speaker, Hon. Muazu Usman Gangara, may have failed but reports indicated yesterday that the members may take a final decision on the issue today.

Earlier reports said that the Speaker had been impeached

and the members were deliberating on who should be the successor.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting which terminated at exactly 5pm, Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon. Yakubu Yusuf, confirmed that there was crisis in the House but that they resolved it amicably during the meeting.

Yusuf who did not want to comment on the fate of the Speaker said the House would

address a press conference today on the development.

He said, “we have just adjourned sitting. We had an internal crisis in the House but it has been resolved amicably and details of it will be communicated to you tomorrow (today).

“We have leadership crisis which members of the Assembly were not satisfied with. We sat down and we are trying to make some changes.

“However, we have resolved amicably and tomorrow (today),

we will resume our plenary sitting and detail of the issue will be communicated to you.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on the good people of Kaduna state that they should be patient as our actions are going to be in the best interest of the state.”

Meanwhile this reporter observed that, the Speaker, Hon. Gangara left the Lugard Hall premises of the House of Assembly, private car and without his orderly.

Jonathan, Obama to meet in Washington, says Sherman

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resident Goodluck Jonathan and U.S. President, Barack Obama, will meet in Washington DC on the sideline of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly holding in September in New York.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, disclosed this in an interview with State House Correspondents shortly after a closed door meeting with Mr. Jonathan.

Ms. Sherman, who led a del-

egation to the US-Nigeria Binational Commission meeting starting Thursday, said she was in the Villa to deliver a letter from Obama to Jonathan.

“I have given him a letter from President Obama and he was gracious enough to accept it and we look forward to working further on the basis of the letter.

“Our presidents will likely meet soon. I will leave that announcement to the President of the United States and the Presi-

dent of Nigeria’’, she said.

Ms. Sherman said “Nigeria is a very important country, not only here on the continent but around the world.’’

She said besides serving on the Security Council of the UN, which it is likely to do so again in future, Nigeria chairs Committee on Democracy.

The under-secretary reiterated the pivotal role of Nigeria in the ECOWAS and in peacekeeping missions all around the

world. She said the US-Nigeria bi-national commission “is really an invaluable tool for the two countries to work together for a strong relationship between them.’’

Ms. Sherman said the commission would support Nigeria “as it moves forward to meet all the challenges before it.’’ She stated that the issues before the commission range from security to governance, education and agriculture. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 6

News

Al Mustapha’s appeal has potential to consume APC, says Babankowa From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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etired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Babankowa, has said the renewed persecution of Major Hamza Al Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Nigerian Head of state, General Sani Abacha has the potential of consuming the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing newsmen in his residence Wednesday afternoon, the former police chief explained that “the steps taken by the

Lagos state Government also have the capacity to rekindle distrust between the Hausa/Fulani extraction on one side and the Yorubas on the other”.

Lagos state Government Tuesday announced it has filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the acquittal of Major Hamza Al Mustapha and one other over the murder of Kudirat Abiola, wife of presumed winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

Alhaji Babankowa, who is a

close confidant of APC chieftain, General Muhammadu Buhari, noted that “the way and manner the north received this serving military officer on his home coming and the caliber of highly placed individuals that received him in audience was instructive that the region and the silent majority are solidly sympathetic to him”.

According to him, “from what I have seen so far, I have no doubt in my mind that this new step would harm relationship across boarder against the backdrop of

interpretation and understanding of laymen who are simply in the majority here”.

Babankowa admitted that the decision of the Lagos state Government to go for an appeal at the supreme court might not be unconnected to the resolve to satisfy Abiola’s family, but cautioned that “while doing that, conscious steps should be applied to avoid harming the larger interest”.

“I have seen the case file and the grouse of appeal by the Lagos state Government.

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According to him, very soon Nigerians will witness the funeral ceremony of PDP. Speaking to journalists, Yaro said that the PDP will soon scatter like debris and cease to exist, adding that it is just a matter of time.

He also alleged that PDP can hardly exist where there is no rigging of election as he argued that it was CPC that won 2011 gubernatorial election in the state.

“With the coming of APC, it is the

end of PDP that has come, and we will all witness their funeral ceremony soon.

They will scatter like debris and cease to exist. It is just a matter of time; PDP cannot exist where there is no rigging of election, what kind of a party is that?

I am telling you APC will sweep out PDP in Kaduna state come 2015 elections. We will chase them out; they have no people but using only thugs and allocating votes to their party.

“They don’t have anything related to justice and democracy in their party, it is just a name.

“Even as CPC, we defeated them in the 2011 elections, how much more now that we are about four or five parties.” he said.

Commenting on APC’s chances in southern part of Kaduna state which is known to be dominated by PDP supporters, he said “It is no longer their base.

of his refusal to pay the statutory annual land use charge. But he now has a grace time of 14 days to pay the tax, following theinterventionofGovernorRajiFashola.

Ibirogba said the seal-off was unconnected with Kalu’s threat to sue the Lagosstategovernmentoveranunrelated matter, the controversial evacuation of 14 destitute from Anambra state, back to their state.

“We wish to state, for the avoidance of doubt,that nothing could be further from the truth.

“The fact is that Orji Uzor Kalu’s property in Park View Estate, Ikoyi, was sealed-off pursuant to Section 40 of the Revenue Administration Law of Lagos Stateforfailuretopaythestatutoryannual land use charge despite three separate notices delivered to the said property”,

Ibirogba said.

“As a government driven by law and process, the Lagos State Government will ordinarily expect all law abiding residents to discharge their responsibilities to the state.

“If, in spite of failing to do so, Mr. Orji UzorKaluwantstogiveethniccolouration to a routine performance of its duties by an agency of the state government,

which in this case is the Land Use Charge Office, under the Ministry of Finance, he is welcome to do so.

“However it should be noted that when the issue was brought to the attention of the Governor, Tuesday evening, he directed the agency to unseal thepropertyandthatanadditional14days grace period be given to Mr. Kalu to pay the said charge.

“APC registration, end of PDP” hairman of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Kaduna state, and one of the interim leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Yaro Ahmed Coca-cola, said yesterday predicted an end to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the emergence of APC in the country.

By Lawrence Olaoye he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday formally announced the disqualification of two aspirants from the November 16th governorship election.

Four candidates had last week appealed their disqualification by the Screening committee but two of them, Ugochukwu Okeke and Tony Nwoye, were yesterday cleared to participate in the Anambra PDP governorship primary billed to take place on the 24th of this month.

Chairman of the Gubernatorial Screening Appeal Panel for Anambra state and the former governor of Zamfara state, Alhaji Mahmud Shinkafi, told newsmen at the party’s National Headquarters that Mr. Sylvester Okwonkwo and Onwuanyim Damian Afamaefule were disqualified because they could not provide valid tax clearances.

He said “With the disqualification of the two aspirants, only 15 candidates have been cleared to contest the August 24th primary in Anambra state.”

He clarified that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) used to clear aspirants but the task has since been pushed down to the political parties. The panel Chairman said “We don’t want to present any candidate who after winning election, their opponents will go to court to upstage their victory.”

Shinkafi said those cleared have given their words that they would abide by the outcome of the primary and support whoever emerges as the candidate.

Similarly, the Anambra Ward Congress Committee chaired by the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Sir Udeh Okoh, submitted its reports to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

L-R: First Lady of South Sudan, Madam Mary Ayen Mayardit, welcoming representative of Nigeria’s First Lady and Chairperson, African First Ladies, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Minister for State of FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, during the donation of relief materials to South Sudan less privileged, on Monday in Juba.

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

Anambra Guber: PDP disqualifies 2 over irregular tax papers

Lagos accuses Orji Kalu of tax erosion From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

T

he Lagos state government has described the former Governor of Abia state, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, as a land use tax evader.

According to a statement by the commissioner for information and strategy, Aderemi Ibirogba, Kalu’s Ikoyi home was initially sealed off, on account

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 7

News

FG ratifies bilateral agreements with Niger, UK

I

n its bid to stem the tide of terrorism in the country, the federal government yesterday ratified the existing bilateral agreements between it and the neighbouring Niger Republic as well as the United Kingdom.

This is just as the Minister of Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada further reiterated that the declaration of the State of of Emergency in three North-East States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe within the last three months has achieved a lot of result, particularly in checking then ugly trend of violence occasioned by the activities of insurgents affiliated to the Islamic sect- Boko Haram.

The ratification of the bilateral agreements with Niger and UK is one of the outcomes of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday. Other outcomes were the award of contracts for the purchase of vehicles for 2016 Census, purchase and printing of textbooks for primary schools and design of engineering infrastructure and tender document for Kyami district along Airport Road in Abuja.

The agreement with Niger was done in October last year. Then it was agreed between the countries that the over 930 miles border between Nigeria and Niger Republic will be patrolled by the two countries.

Northern Nigeria states that share border with Niger Republic are Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi.

Borno also shares borders with Chad and Cameroun while Kebbi shares border with Benin Republic.

A month before the agreement with Niger, the Federal Government signed an Memorandumm of Understanding (MoU) on strategic partnership with the UK to promote peace and security, trade and investment, migration and Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, flanked by the two ministers of education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufa’I and Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, told State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting that the council after a thorough analysis of the submission of Obada ratified the bilateral agreements.

Both agreements, according to a working document of the FEC are aimed at military cooperation.

Specifically, the defence cooperation with Niger Republic ‘is aimed at providing mutual military support, security of their common borders, intervention assistance, military assistance, exchange of intelligence on internal and external security, joint military exercise and operations.”

“The MoU on bilateral military cooperation between Nigeria and UK is aimed at establishing a bilateral military cooperation within the framework of our competent authorities as defined in the national legislation,” the document explained.

L-R: Company Secretary, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Oluwakemi Jafojo, Chairman, Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata, Acting Managing Director, Mr. Paul Bissohong, and Director, Mr. Patrice Albert, during the 44th Annual General Meeting of the company, yesterday at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, in Lagos.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Borno massacre: Mark wants security strategy reviewed

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

F

ollowing the recent killing of 44 Muslim worshippers in a mosque in Konduga town of Borno state, by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram, Senate President, David Mark, has advised the security chiefs to review their strategy, lamenting the death of the victims in the incident.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark described the attack as inhuman and barbaric, saying “nothing can be so cruel and callous than this crime

against humanity”.

Condemning the violent attacks which left scores of others injured and property damaged, he said this review of security strategies will engender a more effective results in the fight against terrorism, even as he asked the perpetrators to have a rethink.

The Senate President also lamented the renewed hostilities by the insurgents at a time when people are heaving a sigh of relief that the state of emergency declared in the three states on account of the unabating violence, was yielding good results.

According to him, “the contin-

ued violence, killing of innocent and unarmed people and destruction of property by the insurgents cannot be justified or contribute towards achieving whatever their objectives may be.

“There is need for the perpetrators and their financiers to repent and embrace peace. It is only a mad man that throws stone into the market place or village square without thinking about the consequences “The Federal government has opened windows for peace and dialogue.

“These people should take advantage of it and end this violence”, he added.

“I know for a fact that no religion preaches violence or hatred. Every religion preaches peace and indeed harmonious relationship.

“So, nobody should hide under any guise to commit crime . This is crime against humanity,” Mark pointed out.

While enjoining religious and traditional rulers in the crisis ridden communities to continue to support and cooperate with government operatives in order to eradicate the insurgency, he also sympathized with the government and people of Borno state, especially the victims of the attacks.

the board, Alhaji Alhasan Muhammad, said the board has embarked on massive scrutiny of intending pilgrims against faults in order to ensure a hitch free hajj operation.

Muhammad noted that the board has already completed payment of the sum of

N1,336,773,692.38 to the National Hajj Commission as part of its commitment.

The Executive Secretary told newsmen that the board has secured accommodation in Mecca alongside offices for both pilgrims and officials.

He also assured that the hajj

airlift would be carried out from the new airport that would soon be completed.

He said that the state had secured the services of Max Air as the official airline for its pilgrims and that Cargo Z would take charge of conveying the pilgrims’ cargo from the holy land.

Jigawa pilgrims’ board ready for hajj From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

T

he Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has declared its readiness for the commencement of the 2013 airlift of 2,584 intending pilgrims from the new airport in the state.

The Executive Secretary of

Bomb scare in Kaduna T From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

here was pandemonium and confusion in Kaduna yesterday when an ‘ecolac’ box fell down from a moving bus causing passers-by to scramble for their lives as they suspected the box contained Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

The vehicle, from findings, was said to be coming from Kawo axis of the town and heading towards Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Market.

The passenger who boarded the vehicle gave his ecolac box to the conductor who put it in the booth.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances the booth of the vehicle opened and the box fell down on Ahmadu Bellow Way opposite Defence Industry Corporation (DICON) Kaduna. After all efforts calling on the bus driver to stop by passersby to stop and soldiers attached to the DICON office failed, people started suspecting bomb scare and scampered for

their lives.

The Deputy Governor of Kaduna state, Ambassador Audu Nuhu Bajoga, within some minutes arrived at the scene after it was condoned off by security agencies.

The military Anti-Bomb Squad was invited in and giving their professional expertise, the box was opened and was found to contain cloths and personal belongings which posed no threat to lives and property.

The incident took a dramatic

turn when the owner of the box showed up at the scene after having a fight with the conductor of the bus on the whereabouts of his box.

It was later gathered that both the owner and the box were taken away by security agency.

Addressing the media after the incident, the Director General; Media and Publicity to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, said the incident had proved that residents of Kaduna state are security conscious for them to have noticed and alerted the security agent.

PAGE 8

Photo Splash

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

L-R: Imo state Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ogun state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, host and Nasarawa state Governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada (left), briefing journalists on the capability of the Nigerian Armed Forces to provide adequate security in the country, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

L-R: Former Lagos state Military Governor, Major General Raji Rasaq (rtd.), wife of the author, Mrs. Shirley Sosanya, author, Omooba Olumuyiwa Sosanya, Director of Medical Service/Ophthalmologist, Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan, Dr. Abisoye Alabi, and former Director of Finance, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Dotun Oyefodunrin, during the public presentation of the book “Revolution in Accountancy Profession in Nigeria�, recently in Lagos.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

One of the overhead bridges constructed by the administration of Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at old Silver Jubilee Roundabout, nearing completion, in Kano.

R-L: Wife of former Head of State, Hajiya Ajoke Murtala Muhammed, and First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, during a condolence visit by former first ladies to the Mrs. Jonathan over the death of her adopted mother, on Tuesday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 9

Kano set to ban tricycles From Edwin Olofu, Kano

S

trong indications has emerged that the Kano state government is mulling the idea of placing a ban on the activities of commercial tricycles operating within the ancient city of Kano.

Peoples Daily gathered reliably that the decision became necessary because of the incessant violation of traffic regulations by the operators and the influx of tricycles into the city, less than a year the government banned Achaba.

A senior officer of the Kano State Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) who disclosed this

to our reporter on the condition of anonymity, said that, “as a responsible government, we cannot fold our hands to see lawlessness taking place in the state.

“We have to do something because if you observe very well, the trend of activities of the operators of tricycles is becoming alarming. I want to assure you that very soon we shall come up with something to checkmate their operation in the state.

Government had banned the activities of commercial motorcycles riders in the state early in January 2013 after the devastating attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, that left

five of his aides dead.

However, eight months after, the business of commercial tricycles started flourishing with many businessmen deserting their known trades to join the lucrative business of purchasing tricycles.

Peoples Daily investigations showed that as at January, 2013 when Achaba was banned in the city there were 6,300 registered tricycles operating in the state but the number skyrocketed to 19,000 in August.

This development did not go down well with government’s idea of building a modern Kano.

Our reporter learnt that instead of an outright ban, government is contemplating

either restricting their movements on major roads within the city or restricting them to only carrying female passengers, thereby making the business less lucrative.

Another idea is to discontinue the registration exercise which will frustrate subsequent investors in the sector, but this would be the last decision the government would want to implement, because it will discourage other investors in the other sectors from having confidence in the state government.

The KAROTA Managing Director, Alhaji Muhammad Digol, said government was worried with the activities of the operators of tricycles.

News BRIEFS Kebbi on MDGs

K

ebbi state Commissioner of Education, Alh Samaila Abdul Mumin Kamba, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to the actualisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Kamba said this in a message to the opening ceremony of a six-day training workshop for facilitators under the State Agency for Mass Education, along with the National Mass Education Commission (NMEC) through its Kebbi State office, in collaboration with United Nation for Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to revitalise adult and youth literacy in the state.

Represented by the Director, Universal Basic Education (UBE), Alhaji Usman Makera, the Commissioner said the workshop was also aimed at strengthening the capacity of facilitators towards improving literacy level of people in the state.

He described mass education as one of the policy thrusts of Governor Saidu Dakingari.

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

Plateau Geographical Information System

T L-R: Minister of State Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, Head Civil Federal of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, Minister of Works, Chief Mike Onolememen, and Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Rivers is not broke, says commissioner

T

he Rivers government on Tuesday dismissed as false and baseless, allegations that workers in the state had not received their July salaries because the government had no money to pay them.

Ibim Semenitari, Commissioner for Information and Communications, blamed the delay on the migration to the ten-

digit Nigerian Uniform Banking Account Number (NUBAN) by commercial banks.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt that, in spite of the delay, the government had paid workers salaries, except for workers who had accounts with Access bank.

“The fact of the matter is that Rivers State Government has paid.

NSCDC nabs two civil servants for vandalisation From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he Adamawa state Command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two senior civil servants (names withheld) including a level 13 officer for allegedly vandalising property worth N15 million.

Parading the suspects in Yola yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Suleiman Baba, said that, the suspects were nabbed in connection to vandalisation of roofing materials belonging to Ministry of Works at its zonal office in Numan local government of the state.

“The corps just arrested two suspects with vandalised roofing materials worth about N5 million. “The materials were vandalised at the Ministry of Works zonal office in Numan and the principal suspect is a staff of the ministry,” he said.

Baba who indicated the resolve of the NSCDC to rid the state of vandals said the two suspects have been interrogated to ascertain level of involvement in the crime and would be charged to court.

According to the spokesperson, the law has given the corps mandate to arrest, detain and prosecute suspects and the command would not relent in discharging its responsibilities.

It was an issue of migration to the new ten-digit NUBAN numbers, which is a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy on account numbers.’

So, we had a situation where some banks have not provided the new NUBAN numbers to be fed into government’s computerised payroll system,” she said.

“But, as at (August 12), Rivers state government has paid workers

their July salaries.”

Ms. Semenitari said government was hopeful that workers with Access bank account would get their salaries before the end of this week.

The commissioner urged the people to disregard rumours and allegations by ‘’ mischief makers’’ who want to cause confusion in the state.

Insecurity: Army establishes barracks in Mubi From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he Nigerian Army is constructing a new military barracks in the border twonn of Mubi, Mubi local governemnt area of Adamawa state with a view to addressing the activities of terrorists and other criminal activities in the area.

Conducting newsmen round the construction site, the Commander of Special Operations Battalion, Mubi, Lt-Col Beyidi Martins, disclosed that the establishment of the barracks was

in realisation of the strategic position of Mubi in checkmating the insurgents from crossing into the hinterland.

He said that, “the Army high Command sees Mubi as a strategic town being a border town with Cameroun and Chad which makes it favourable for our operations.”

He noted that a number of lot of fleeing insurgents from Borno state are being arrested in Madagali and other border towns in the area.

Martins also paraded five suspected insurgents who raided the Mubi International Market Bureau de Change.

he Plateau state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the upgrading of Plateau Geographical Information System (PLAGIS), for N1.35 billion on Monday.

The Commissioner of Land, Survey and Town Planning, Mr. Yilji Gomwalk, signed on behalf of the government while Mr. Chiemeka Ngwu, Managing Director, TEQBRIDGE signed for his company.

In his remarks, Gomwalk, described the event as very significant and crucial to the running of operations of the ministry and management of land on the Plateau.

From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

Electricity: Delta spends N23bn

D

elta state government has spent a whopping sum of N23 billion in the provision of electricity equipment in the last four years, Hon. Charles Emetulu, Commissioner for Power and Energy, said.

He spoke with journalists in Asaba, explaining that the provision of the equipment was a fundamental policy thrust of the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.

According to the Commissioner, the administration has been passionate on power supply, especially in the realisation of the Independent Power Project (IPP) that is near completion.

From Prince Edward, Asaba

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 10

News

Kebbi: Gwandu Emirate Development Association gets new board From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

T

he Emir of Gwandu and the Chairman of Kebbi state Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Mohammadu Iliyasu Bashar, has called on sons and daughters of his emirate to unite and respect their leaders for the progress of the emirate and the state at large.

He spoke while inaugurating the Board of Trustees of Gwandu Emirate Development Association (GEDA) in his palace at the weekend.

Bashar said that peace and respect for leaders was the catalyst of development noting that great sons of the emirate were poised to elevate the status of the emirate more than ever before.

“I want to say that I am happy because the sons and daughters of my emirate are poised for developing the emirate.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of GEDA, Alhaji Idris Illo, said that his team was making steady progress towards developing the emirate adding that the emirate was able to realise N94 million out of the N142 million pledges made during the N500 million appeal fund..

Indecent dressing: Kano Hisbah arrests 143 youth From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

K

ano state Hisbah Command has arrested about 143 youth over alleged indecent dressing and other immoral acts during the recent Sallah festivities.

Acting Commander General of Hisbah Command, Dr. Yakubu Mai Gida Kachako, stated this in an interview with journalists during an annual lecture titled “Goron Sallah.”

Kachako said that the lecture was organised to enlighten Hisbah corps on how to discharge their duties as well as to enlighten the public against indecent dressing and other immoral acts by the youth.

“The essence of this lecture is that, it is part of our Sallah celebration and to enlighten the Hisbah corps on how to discharge their duties with honesty and dedication.

“It is also meant to enlighten the general public, especially the youth, to put a stop on all forms of indecent dressing and other immoral acts in order to have a peaceful society.”

He also stated that the Command is aware of modern dressing which the youth imitate naming some of them to include’ass down’ ‘swagger’, ‘chest out,’ among others.

He vowed to put a stop to “such illicit dressing.

“Our Command is ready to get rid of all these acts by God’s grace.

“As I speak to you now, we have arrested about 130 males and 13 ladies and whoever caught on this act will be punished accordingly.

“Our command will seize the clothes of someone caught with indecent dressing.

“Those caught with bad hair cuts, our corps will cut off all the hair and we will call their parents to the Command and show them what their children commit,” “ He stated.

“Some of the arrested youth have expressed their regret and pledged not to abstain from engaging in such acts henceforth.

Mubarak of Karkasara quaters said he was arrested along Zoo road for ‘sagging’ his jeans down because it is below his size.

“I was arrested along Zoo road

for pulling my jeans down because it is not up to my size and I am now in the Command and nobody knows my whereabouts because I did not know anybody’s number in my head.

“I plead with the officials to pardon me and pledge not to commit similar offence henceforth.”

Musa Ibrahim of Shagari quarters said that, “I just saw the Hisbah corps appear in front of me and asked me to pull up my shirt which I did.

“They asked me to follow them to the Command as I committed an offence called ass down.

“I regret my deed and I will not commit it again by the grace of God.”

Hajj: Kebbi intending pilgrims get deadline From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi ebbi state pilgrims welfare Agency (PWA) has fixed August 28, 2013 as the final day for all intending pilgrims who made part payments to complete their money or lose the seats.

Speaking to People’s Daily yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the Executive Chairman of the Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Imam Shema, said the National Hajj commission allocated 4,100 seats to the state and approved fares for the 2013 pilgrimage.

According to him some, intending pilgrims had for the last six months made part payments but were yet to come forward for remittance of remaining balances.

He said, “we are appealing to them to ensure that they settle their outstanding balances on or before the stipulated date otherwise the agency will be left with no option than to revoke their seats.”

Shema disclosed that the 2013 Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) has been fixed and categorised for both male and female intending pilgrims giving the breakdown as N645,300 and N646,300 as minimum while N681,800 and N682,800 as maximum.

He said the Agency would soon embark on sensitization visits to all the 21 local government councils to ensure that intending pilgrims were adequately briefed on the rules and regulations of the Saudi authorities.

“It is necessary to sensitize them especially the first timers who may not know the differences between the Saudi and Nigeria laws” Shema added.

K

R-L: Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Abuja branch, Engineer Emeka Ozioko, past President of NSE, Engineer Charles Mbanefo, President of NSE, Engineer Mustafa Shehu, and Mrs Irene Mbanefo, during the 2013 Engineer Charles Mbanefo Distinguished Lecture, organised by Abuja branch of NSE, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imp-Owo

Kwankwaso pardons 350 prison inmates From Edwin Olofu, Kano

G

overnor of Kano state, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has pardoned 350 prison inmates in the state.

The Commissioner of Justice, Malki Kuliya, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday said that after the final screening of the inmates by the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, the Governor approved the release of the inmates and that utensils and other items worth N12 million were purchased for those serving their jail term by the state government.

To also facilitate effective administration of justice in the state, he said the Civil Service Commission had promoted 950 junior and middle cadre Judiciary staff.

He said that, “when we came in, court proceedings were being

published at the business centres outside the court premises.

“But as soon as we assumed office, we started by buying 65 units of computers and accessories and distributed to various courts across the state.”

On instilling discipline and fair play in the delivery of justice, the Commissioner referred to a celebrated case of inheritance

where the sum of N12 million was siphoned by a senior court staff, leaving the children of the deceased persons wallowing in poverty.

“We looked into the case thoroughly and we penalised all those who were found wanting.

“We prosecuted a senior staff in the Ministry. And he was sentenced to seven years jail term,” Kuliya said.

The Commissioner disclosed that, apart from the rehabilitation of many courts in the state, 56 new courts have been constructed out of 26 are magistrate courts and 30 Shari’ah courts.

He also noted that 19 High Court judges were trained abroad to further their skills in the administration of justice in the state.

Impeachment clause: Sokoto Speaker warns on proposed removal From: Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

T

he Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly has said that the proposed removal of the immunity clause from the Constitution would not in the best interest of the nation.

Zayyana who spoke to newsmen in Sokoto described the move as untimely.

According to him, however, “if the immunity clause is removed from the Constitution, such decision may distract the attention of all the political office holders.

“They will be attending courts’ proceedings instead of concentrating on executing meaningful projects in their constituencies.”

He said that what Nigeria wanted at this material time

was credible leaders who will move the nation forward.

“If elected leaders always have the fear of God in the tasks of discharging their primary assignments, nobody will be thinking of the removal of immunity.

“We must rise up to meet our obligations by doing what we are supposed to do at the time we are supposed to do it,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 11

Money Sense

Get some cash blogging

E

veryone seems to own a blog nowadays. Blogs are free to run (using hosting services like Blogger.com,

a Google-owned company) and a great way to share information to Internet readers. Some people use blogs to share details of their

lives, sort of like a public journal.

However, more and more people are using blogs to make money.

How do you make money using a

blog? Very easy!

First of all, you will need a blog that is “established.” This usually means that you have been indexed by Google and have a couple of months of past blog entries. New blogs need not apply. If you’re just starting a blog, or are thinking of starting one, get to writing and start throwing data up.

Next, you will need to sign-up for a paid-blogging service. Two great services that exemplify how this works are BlogginAds.com and PayPerPost.com.

Here is how it works: You sign up for a paidblogging service. Once they verify your blog, they’ll tell you what “opportunities” (read: jobs) you are qualified for. Then, you choose what opportunities you want. An example opportunity will ask you to write about “Product X with 300 words” and might ask you to include a link to Product X’s website. Basically, you’re writing a short advert for the product.

Once you’ve posted your blog that fulfills the requirements of your opportunity, you will notify the paid-blogging service.

They’ll verify that your blog has indeed met the opportunity’s requirements, and there is usually a waiting period of a couple weeks before they pay you (to make sure

Guess what, a cleaning service has a number of possibilities

you don’t delete the post right after getting paid).

Usually, you are paid via PayPal or some other electronic payment method, although some services allow you to request checks via mail. Requesting money via check will take several weeks longer, but if you don’t have a Paypal account you can request money that way.

Get-paid-to-blog services have gotten a lot of negative publicity because people think that blogging should be impartial, sort of like journalism. However, placing some sort of qualifier on your blog, like “This Post was sponsored,” allows you to take advantage of paidblogging services without ruining your reputation with your online readers.

How much money can you make by blogging?

It all depends on how much time you put into it. The more you invest in your blog, building your readership and your reputation on the Internet, the more high-paying opportunities you can qualify for.

Some opportunities for big blogs pay up to N45000 or more. For smaller blogs, you can expect about N1500 per blog entry. This is a pretty good rate of return, seeing as how it shouldn’t take you too long to type up such a blog entry. Try to put up one blog entry a day, and that amounts to N10000 a week, or N43000 a month. It might seem like small change, but it all adds up and it’s relatively easy.

To supplement your blogging income, you can also add other forms of revenue to your website.

Google Adsense (http://google. com/adsense.com) places contextual adverts on your blog. It can be automatically installed if you use Blogger.com (which is owned

by Google), but you can also add it to other blogs if you have access to your blog’s HTML. Making money by blogging on the Internet is easy and a nice way to make some extra spending money to fuel your next shopping excursion.

Money Tip

A

cleaning service business is an excellent business opportunity for someone who enjoys working with their hands, moderate physical activity and working alone. Start-up costs are minimal, you can work out of your home, and you can operate your cleaning service business on a part-time basis. Though a relatively easy venture to start, it’s still a good idea to start with a plan.

Decide what services to offer.

Your cleaning service could entail household cleaning, janitorial work to include indoor and outdoor services, or carpet cleaning. If start-up funds are limited, consider starting as a maid. Your costs would be significantly cheaper, as you wouldn’t need to invest in heavy

equipment.

Design a name for your cleaning service and also complementary to go with it. If you are starting a solo venture, you can operate as a sole proprietor.

Go on Internet to enroll in cleaning courses designed around your business model. Another option is to clean friend’s and family’s houses and have them criticize your work.

Review other maid services in your area to get an idea of what types of cleaning you will do.

Bathrooms, kitchens, windows, baseboards, walls, ceiling fans, floors, windows and vacuuming are typical cleaning services provided by a maid. You may also clean refrigerators and ovens, treat

furniture, reorganize rooms, and pack and unpack.

Purchase cleaning supplies and equipment. Some maid services require the client to provide cleaning supplies. Generally, though, the maid supplies her own cleaning products. You will need a mop, bucket, convenient carrying products, cleaning chemicals, a vacuum cleaner, gloves, mop heads, odor control, safety signs, sponges, apron, extension poles and dusters. When selecting a vacuum cleaner ensure that it will last through numerous jobs. Oreck vacuums are highly rated, lightweight commercial vacuums.

Contact maid services in your area to get an idea of what to charge. Then draw up a price

list. Create checklists of all of the cleaning services you may provide.

Your client may not want all of your services. Use the checklist to ensure that you and the client fully understand what your job entails.

Find your clients. Potential clients for your cleaning service business include commercial and residential. However, to tackle commercial buildings such as schools, clinics, hospitals and offices, you will likely need to hire help, unless the job is particularly small. Post fliers around town on bulletin boards at supermarkets, your church, mosque, condominiums and apartment buildings. If allowed, place a sign in your yard advertising your cleaning business.

Directory Website People are constantly looking for all kinds of information on the internet, from fashion, sports, celebrity gossip, government department services and many more. Creating a website that will help them find the information they need easily and quickly is a great startup idea. The only thing you need for this idea is a computer, access to the internet and a little amount of cash. The website providers will simply ask you to choose a name for your website, install word press and build your directory website.

It does not have to be perfect the first time as modifications and improvements can be made regularly as time goes by and as the business grows.

Quote The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try.

Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it. – Debbi Fields

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

EDITORIAL

aving been brought under pressure by a Tuareg rebellion in the north before the army coup in 2012, Mali quickly descended into chaos as the initially mooted rebellion took a life of its own, resulting in the take-over of half of the country by extremist religious factions. The army which overthrew an elected government it described as weak and unable to provide the wherewithal to crush the rebellion, found it even more incapable of containing the uprising. Mali was actually unraveling under the military regime and was compelled to accept a transition plan under civilian leadership.

The last leg of the transition which was a run-off of the presidential election held last Sunday produced a result that may be the beginning of a healing process. The favourite, Ibrahim Boubocar Keita, better known by his acronym IBK, won decisively after gaining the support of 20 out of the 27 presidential candidates that vied in the first round held in July. IBK is a former prime minister known for being tough and firm on issues. His main challenger, former finance minister, Soumaila Cisse, in

political sportsmanship rare in Africa quickly conceded defeat even before the official result was published.

In fact, Cisse went with his family to congratulate Keita on his victory. To compare with his kicking counterpart in the just concluded

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Mali in a long slow climb out

We profoundly commend the robust and exemplary conduct of Cisse and urge politicians across Africa to take a leaf out of his book.

Zimbabwean election, Morgan Tsvangarai, Cisse was dignifying, patriotic and nationalistic; a compulsive democrat who obviously believes that the ship of democracy must not be allowed to wreck because he would not be the captain.

We profoundly commend the robust and exemplary conduct of Cisse and urge politicians across Africa to take a leaf out of his book. However, we must stress that Cisse’s exemplary conduct is as a result of the credibility and transparency of the electoral

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

process. Politicians who openly steal elections should not expect their opponents to take it in good stead as did Cisse. He has vowed to remain engaged in the democratic process. According to him, “We will criticize if necessary.

We will promote democracy by opposition.”

The poll winner, Keita, seems well aware of the heavy responsibility he has to bear because of the daunting challenges ahead. He has promised to begin the process of national healing and reconciliation. He will need more than good luck to make any headway. But for now, he appears to be on the right track.

He has promised to involve all stakeholders in the rebuilding process, and to convoke an inclusive national conference likely to include tribal leaders, rebel groups, opposition political parties and civil society.

IBK would be helped along by the over $4 billion pledged by international donors to facilitate the recovery of the country. Overtraumatised Malians would need a measure of relief from a hard life worsened by an insurgency and a coup. Democracy will make meaning only if it improves their material wellbeing.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM MANAGING EDITOR ABDUL-AZEEZ ABDULLAHI

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

EDITOR, DAILY AHMED I. SHEKARAU

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

DEPUTY MANAGER, PRODUCTION ABDUL-RAUF MUSA

EDITOR, WEEKEND HAMEED M. BELLO

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 13

Opinion The ‘monitorial citizen’ cometh

By Bámidélé AdémóláOlufunmilayo

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here are 6.6million Nigerians on Facebook and growing daily. I’m using this platform to ask the youth and animated middle age Internet mavens to become Monitorial Citizens and cellphone enabled “smart mob” with the singular purpose of rescuing Nigeria from the brink. The potent mix of smart phones, social media and new technologies allows us to act in concert, communicate in smart mobs, even when we do not know each other, and in ways we could not have conceived previously.

As monitoring citizens, we can become purposeful actors in our government, in our economy, in this country. By becoming smart mobs, we can form new relationships, assert new public values, and mobilize political, economic, and cultural power to translate these values into action.

As monitorial citizens we can truncate hurried ambitions of politicians before it became a full-grown tyranny and turn them back at the polls. We can generate a rallying cry and a common narrative from available information very quickly. With growing mobile telephony and

cellphone penetration, we can use digital tools to organize protests, recruit foot soldiers, capture attention of the mainstream media and wield considerable political influence. We can and must redefine Nigeria by combining the energy and enthusiasm of bottom-up social media enabled organizing with existing top-down hierarchical structures. Our porkbarrel democracy cannot withstand the awakening and onslaught of civil society groups, student union, professional bodies, trade unions, churches, ethnic associations, underground media, intellectuals, journalists and adherents of new media.

The recent firing of Sergeant Chris Omoleze seen sitting in the passenger seat of a car demanding 25,000 Naira in bribe showcases

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the sensitization that can accrue from decentralized digital reporting by monitorial citizens. No doubt, the government’s hand will be forced when there is sufficient outrage arising from abuse of power carefully documented on handheld devices uploaded for the whole world to see. Viral videos are excellent tools for socio-political change, they have the distinct logical consequence of promoting a sense of outrage over corruption and political malfeasance and a greater appetite for social action.

As more Nigerians gain access to the Internet, social and political awareness will increase, breeding a raft of political activists to be triggered by the next manifestation of social injustice recorded on a cell phone.

When combined with a

continued restraint on organized social action, we will see an upturn in bottom-up spontaneous protests focusing on specific high-profile issues, local events and visible abuses of power.

Naturally, we could see significant improvements in transparency, accountability, policy and governance from the government in response to massive outrage.

No government survives too long by ignoring its own people. Yes, there could be other possible outcomes like the containments of civil action by deploying soldiers and armored tanks as witnessed during the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests and Jonathan’s botched effort at containing online freedoms by mounting online surveillance to preemptively disarm grass roots political action.

As monitorial citizens we can truncate hurried ambitions of politicians before it became a full-grown tyranny and turn them back at the polls. We can generate a rallying cry and a common narrative from available information very quickly. With growing mobile telephony and cellphone penetration, we can use digital tools to organize protests, recruit foot soldiers, capture attention of the mainstream media and wield considerable political influence.

We have it in us to confront inept leadership, let us join hands to arrest this endless national festival of weirdness. Let us channel our Blackberry addiction as a tool for change. You have a voice, you can be heard, join the political debate and halt our narrative of misery. The blogosphere, social media, video sharing outlets has given us the tool for information sharing. We have access to alternative platforms, even with state sponsored pusback, we can devise ways around online restrictions. Our success is predicated not only on technology but on determination, on human skill and zero tolerance for political malfeasance. Our motto must be Carpe Diem – we must seize the day and push Nigeria toward drastic political change and greater democratization. The teeming youths have nowhere to go than stay in Nigeria. Nigeria as it is today is impossible to sustain. it is in your hands, it is in my hands, we can’t and must not fold our hands.

The Tunisians and Egyptians did not sit on their hands waiting for a revolutionary. Sustained spontaneous protests and sacrifice did it for them. Shed your swagger and fight for a place in history.

Become a Monitorial Citizen today, join a smart mob when you feel outraged. God bless you and God bless Nigeria!

Bamidele Ademola -Olafunmilayo via olufunmilayo@gmail.com

CBN succession: Let’s have an insider this time

By Philip Agbese

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ess than ten months away, the tenure of incumbent governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), MallamSanusiLamidoSanusi, would have come to an end. The man at the helms of affairs at the apex bank has made it clear that he has no intention of going for a second term in office even though the law allows that. It would be pointless to try persuading him to remain as this would amount to forcing the man. This should thus be a cue for the nation to avoid the situation in the past whereby replacements are hurriedly done.

The government has not acted yet but agitations are already afoot on the possibility of factoring in zoning in selecting Sanusi’s replacement in addition to technical competence. Proponents of such considerations that argued on the basis of how going this way would help maintain national balance and equitable distribution of positions in addition to righting historical injustices that could arise if the position, over the course of time, does not circulate around the competent persons that could be had nationwide.

It is on this note that I took peculiar interest in the argument put forward that the Northcentral has not had a shot at the headship of the apex bank. The group that put this argument forward suggested that the zone has an array of intellectuals and professionals with the requisite

competence to man this all important office. However, similar to the need to act promptly at the national level to fill the soon to be vacant position, there is need to also at this stage put names and faces to the array of professionals that the north central geo-political zone has. After running over a list of prospective candidates with a few friends I put my finger on Mr. Solomon Tor Wombo, who has proved to be a pragmatic financial manager with versatility in financial issues.

The tenure of Sanusi has proved that the position needs some measure of political savvies as much as it needs a profound understanding of economic and monetary fundamentals. For this, Wombo has successfully blended a background in the banking industry with his sterling performance in the political arena.

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The quality of his work as far back as 1999, made the then Fortune International Bank to spot him as one of the outstanding experts to engage in their innovative drive to take over the market from other competitors, to achieve this, the bank engage the services of Hon. Solomon Tor Wombo through the Inter-Bank Transfer window where he functioned as the CBN Clearing House Officer and Interbank Settlement Relations amongst others. After considering Wombo’s honest performance in this capacity, he was promoted to Operation Manager, Abuja and performed creditably well as chief custodian of bank vault and regulator of inter bank relations.

His banking career continued to prosper, as he joined Intercontinental Bank, Yola in 2009 and became the Branch Head and later served as Area

The tenure of Sanusi has proved that the position needs some measure of political savvies as much as it needs a profound understanding of economic and monetary fundamentals. For this, Wombo has successfully blended a background in the banking industry with his sterling performance in the political arena.

Business Executive, Makurdi Branch. In his new assignment, he had the responsibility for business development in the branches under the area office and received credit appraisals presented by the branch managers recommended within bank policy. Solomon Wombo was later moved to Jos as Regional Business Controller, where in addition was a member of the Regional EXCO. Wombo’s recorded achievements in the corporate world but perhaps what stood him out are the traits of honesty, selflessness, innovativeness and simplicity that have continued to drive his exemplary leadership style. The reward for these was more responsibility as the Benue state governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswan (CON) located him at a critical time when local government funds were going into private pockets. His assignment as Special Adviser/Director General, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Benue state was to reposition the third tier of Government in the state and ensure that the grassroots feel the impact of the centre irrespective of distance or topography. And he has not disappointed in this task.

On the academic front, Wombo attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1984 and 1987 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration while in 2002 he bagged a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar. Aside his skills

as a manager of human and material resources, Wombo authored “Responsibilities and Function of the Treasury Department”; “Team Building and Team Playing for Effective Performance” as well as “A Critical Review of Nigeria’s Inter Bank Settlement System and Industry Analysis of Insurance Companies in Nigeria”. people would want to see candidates who parade resumes with a lot of foreign postings for the CBN’s number one job but this is one area that Nigerians and Nigeria must get it right. What the country needs at this time, especially with the success the Sanusi administration has recorded in reforming the banking sector, is to continue along the path of homegrown approach to dealing with the country’s monetary issues.

We already have enough of those who have ties with Breton Woods so we would not be getting additional values for adding one more into the bargain. We should instead look to someone who is in touch with the realities at home and this where I put Solomon Tor Wombo’s name atop the list of contenders. I would like to commend the Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency in Governance for finding him worthy for the respected Transparency Award 2013 and hope that the Prince of Benue will not dissappoint the Suswam’s administration or the civil society for this golden privilege of writing his name on the sands of time.

Philip Agbese is based in Abuja.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Opinion Be like Anenih A

By Ose Oyamendan

few years ago, there was this cool Gatorade commercial about basketball legend Michael Jordan. It was a sing and dance thing about people trying to be like Michael Jordan. The chorus was “I wanna be like Mike”.

The commercial swept an entire nation into frenzy. I loved it too.

But, I didn’t want to be like Mike.

Basketball was not football. It’s something I pretend I do because I’m of average height and very fat.

I was the guy under the rim. You pass me the ball at your own peril.

I couldn’t make a basket even if the rim was as huge as the ocean.

I did not want to be like Mike.

But, it got me thinking who I would like to be when I grow up.

Since I was already all grown up, I would wonder who I’d like to be when I grow up a little bit more, like pre-retirement grow up. I wanted to be someone ballsy, someone with some savvy and Naijaa-style swagger.My first choice was General Ibrahim Babangida. I figured that with a face like his, a smile like that and a bank account like his, I couldn’t go wrong. I could have dinner in Monaco and breakfast in Abuja.

And, I’ll be sleeping in my cushy bed in my private jet. Then, some killjoy told me I’d have to perfect the art of coup plotting first. Not that I minded at first, since I know I would probably be at some radio station broadcasting a speech that starts with “fellow Nigerians”. But then I dug deeper and found out if I’m in a coup plot and it fails, I won’t be in a pot of boiling soup, I’ll be six feet under so, I moved on.

Sport figures didn’t do it for me because they whined too much.

One day it’s bonuses, the next day

is bonuses and presidency. the third day it’s Easy as Sunday bonuses again. morning, I And, they’ve not thought.Then Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, even won a game Goodluck text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written or medalled.

Jonathan Then, I thought shows up and contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters of academics but I knew there - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your grammar gave me is easy like name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be headache. I love working your addressed to: my English like a way near the bowl of amala and top and there ewedu soup. And, was easy like The Editor, God forbid the arts having an Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, and entertainment incredible good people. luck. But, I 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

For a moment, don’t want to Email: opinion@peoplesdailyng.com my goal was to be be Jonathan.

SMS: 08134607052 OBJ. I thought he I can’t swing had it easy. A man that hat five days a week. who was always of state who succeeded his slain And, boy there’s the dress! Yikes! there at the right time.The general boss. The condemned prisoner Few days ago,I finally found who ended the war without really who became president because fighting in it. The deputy head who I want to be like when I grow his kinsman had been denied the up. He has been right in front of me all this time. I even shook his hands once in front of the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly where lawmakers sign off on undistin-guishing laws like approving rape in the name of early marriage and dishonorable things like fighting each other.I want to be like Chief Anthony Anenih.

As a matter of fact, I’m singing the song in my head right now. I would write it out here but it’s in Wazobia, with a chorus line in Esan language.

I know I’m not the smartest bulb in on the street but boy, I had no clue I was this slow. I mean why did it take me this long to realize it? If I wasn’t fat and pushing One hundred and fifty pounds, I would

WRITE TO US

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For a moment, my goal was to be OBJ. I thought he had it easy. A man who was always there at the right time.The general who ended the war without really fighting in it. The deputy head of state who succeeded his slain boss.

The condemned prisoner who became president because his kinsman had been denied the presidency. Easy as Sunday morning, I thought.

have punished myself with a set of push-ups. But, it would be suicidal doing push-ups with a stomach and frame like mine.

It was his birthday that made me realize I want to be like him.

Have you seen the pictures? Man, it was like Jesus resurrected and landed in Abuja. Everybody who was somebody was there – the Presidents, Ex-presidents, governors and stinking rich people on Forbes list. There were even APC members there and they’ve not even lost an election yet. They all came to worship the godfather.

They call him Mr. Fix-it. And, boy – did he fix that birthday! If I have a birthday like that, I’m sending a picture to Time magazine because that definitely makes me a Top 100 influential person rather than one of those Nollywood actresses who can’t even get their fellow actresses to come to their birthday party. And, they’re still below 40. Try being 80 then we can talk.

You can hear the hisses and see eyes rolling from miles away.

The man fixes things. So he fixes it for his party to win? Boo, he should have fixed for PDP to lose? Where would the contracts come from? Have you ever seen a queue of losers? Or, you think he could have swung that birthday party if he had been General MuhammaduBuhari’s campaign manager since 1999? Whatever anyone says, I know who I want to be like when I grow up. You can go wrong with that – 80, rich and having the nation’s balls in your hand! Man oh man, the things I can do with those balls. Now, I can’t wait to grow up.

Ose Oyamendan is a Nigerian filmmaker based in California, USA.

2015: Change and hypothesis of the unknown

By Demola Adeniran

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et me firstly say that I am not a member of any political party at this point in time.

But to say that I am apolitical would be a big hypocrisy. Whilst I think everyone should worry about what becomes of our country in and after 2015, I do also think the disparaging of CHANGE in itself is rather drastic. Seeking an alternative to the current quagmire facing Nigeria should not be limited by the fear of the unknown, since everything in life is a gamble. Before I give my reasons, let me say here that I do not disagree in entirety with all ofKayodeOgundamisi’s points in his piece “2015: Nigeria’s desperation for change…” What I disagree with is the CHANGE that he believed Nigeria requires in 2015. One of the very part that I think Ogundamisi got right was in the second paragraph of the piece where he said: “...Nigerians have been deceived over and over again that EVERYONE and ANYONE aspiring to lead us after several years of PDP disaster must be ready to be subjected to the minutest of scrutiny”.

I think that bit deserves to be etched in the mind of critical observers, intellectual game players and youths within the Nigeria project. In explaining the term

abysmal that I had earlier used side by side with cataclysmal; I shall like to break it down according to the innuendo used by Ogundamisi in his short write-up. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the cataclysmal bit that we already know. After 14 odd years in power, Nigeria looked every inch confused under their stewardship. Hopes upon hopes have been dashed and resources have been squandered to no end. Misery and death have become second nature to us in the land and they both stalk us on a daily basis.

On the other hand, abysmal is the All Progressives Congress (APC) that seeks to seduce us as an alternative to what the PDP has brought. Now we should not forget that the alternative (APC) also has a crooked persona with some of the most notorious characters in the land. A few weeks ago after the

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APC was registered by Independent National Electoral Commission, the President’s man on New Media, Reno Omokri, tweeted the following on twitter: “I congratulate SaniYerima, Ali Modu Sheriff, Tom Ikimi and other progressives of the APC on the registration of their party by INEC”.

Now as harmless as the above tweet by Reno looked, it had the sarcastic bearing that underlined the muddied characters of the men mentioned. This on its own throws the trust question into the APC mix.

Nigerians would, of course, want to know what people like Ali Modu Sheriff, Sani Yerima, Tom Ikimi, Audu Ogbeh and Bola Tinubu want to do newly that they should vote for them as an alternative to PDP? While I strongly agree that it is the right question to ask, I also believe that the current situation in Nigeria’s political sphere is a pure

case of seeking out which amongst the two main parties have a few good men within them. So rather than remaining stagnant or looking out for a party of good people in entirety which I think is a mirage; we must make do with what we have and build on from there.

Looking for a sweeping political change in the idealistic terms for Nigeria right now is more than a big ask; because Nigeria at this point in time is a land where almost everybody have one sort of agenda or another. Most of us shout for or against the status quo with our own hidden motives with few nationalistic ones. Although our political situation yearns for a sweeping idealistic change as proposed by Ogundamisi, the agents (You and I) as well as the political environment militate against one. My take is that our individual and collective mien is

Nigerians would, of course, want to know what people like Ali Modu Sheriff, SaniYerima, Tom Ikimi, AuduOgbeh and Bola Tinubu want to do newly that they should vote for them as an alternative to PDP? While I strongly agree that it is the right question to ask, I also believe that the current situation in Nigeria’s political sphere is a pure case of seeking out which amongst the two main parties have a few good men within them.

also not ready for what we advocate for on blogs, forums, TV and radio programmes.

In order for proper reform of our democratic process to take place, certain occurrence should be firstly encouraged instead of discouraged. For example, we should seek a level playing ground where a party like the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) should be able to lose a gubernatorial election in Lagos state after 14 years or where the PDP should be able lose the presidency at the centre. All these are the processes of change. It is in this way that both parties will get the needed time out on the sidelines to weed out bad elements and policies that have infested their core.

To finish, I must also point out that scrutinizing the type of CHANGE we want is important, but STAGNATION should never be a choice for Nigeria. It is not compulsory for the APC to rule beyond 4 years neither should they ever get the opportunity nor should the PDP rule for 60 years just because of our fear of the unknown.

What is however know right now this very minute is that the PDP has been poor since 1999 in governing Nigeria. Whether the APC will be the same or worse is a hypothetical question that has to be tested.

Demola Adeniran is on Facebook.com

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 15

Comment

Is ours retail or wholesale corruption?

By Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba

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f you asked any body anywhere where corruption is more perverse Africa or the West, the unanimous answer would be Africa. A new corruption survey by Transparency International shows that nine out of ten of the countries with the highest reported bribery rate in the world are in Africa. The continent will be the answer even if you polled educated Africans and educated Westerners. It will be true if you asked liberals and conservatives. Is the difference as big as perceived? Even at the risk of appearing to be defending Nigeria I make bold to say there might be a slight difference but not a major difference. The much hullaballoo may be just in definition.

Africans practice retail corruption and the West practices whole sale corruption.

Here is how each works. In retail corruption one goes around bribing individuals just as a retail store sells single items.

The transactions are directly related. You want a visa to enter

Nigeria we exchange N100. I want to import a case of vodka at the airport we exchange N1, 000.0. There is no question that I have paid money to get what I want and that the other party has received money to allow me do what I want. This is retail corruption. Here is how it works at the wholesale level. I will use the two transactions above.

Suppose we want to allow 1,000 Jews to enter the United States.

The Jewish lobby understands that according to the immigration

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regulations Jewish quota is 50 people only. The Jewish lobby would start to lobby congress and even the president to increase the Jewish quota. They would contribute money to members of congress campaign funds and send lobbyists to talk to congress men/women; they would take them out golfing; they might even threaten some. The contributions could eventually reach tens of million dollars. Eventually 1,000 Jews would be allowed to get in.

The same scenario could happen

in the importation of vodka.

Suppose that Koch brothers want to import ship loads of vodka into United States. They have vodka factories in the Soviet Union.

They could start pushing ‘free trade’ between Russia and United States using the same techniques I reference in the immigration case. Eventually the US and Russia would negotiate which goods would be allowed and the Koch brothers would bring in ship loads of vodka.

In both cases the parties who

Africans practice retail corruption and the West practices whole sale corruption. Here is how each works. In retail corruption one goes around bribing individuals just as a retail store sells single items. The transactions are directly related. You want a visa to enter Nigeria we exchange N100. I want to import a case of vodka at the airport we exchange N1, 000.0. There is no question that I have paid money to get what I want and that the other party has received money to allow me do what I want. This is retail corruption. Here is how it works at the wholesale level. I will use the two transactions above. Suppose we want to allow 1,000 Jews to enter the United States.

want visas and vodka get their wishes and in both case money is exchanged. But one, the retail practice is dubbed corruption and the other, the whole sale practice, gets a clean bill. Is there much difference? Let the reader be the judge. I think that the moral standards of both Africans and the West are about equal with the edge sometimes going to the African. But since one has set the rules they know how to bend it without breaking it. We know of the Alaskan bridge that went nowhere; we know of the falling Boston Tunnel; we know of a governor that went to Argentina to see his lover while giving the impression that he was hiking.

We are now reading about how the mob man, Bulger alleged to have killed as many as 19 people, did it with direct collaboration with FBI and got away with it for over 20 years while he was on FBI’s most wanted list. These are whole sale corruption but one would never know it. This is my perspective; yours welcome.

Benjamin ObiajuluAduba wrote in from Boston, Massachusetts

Dilemma of a Nigerian immigrant in America

By Choice Ekpekurede

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rs. Brown is a wellgroomed Caucasian lady. She has lived all her life in Texas. Illness has made her very weak, but she remains very intelligent and engaging. She veered off the business of the day and started a different conversation with me. “Choice, how long have you been in America?”

“It’s been quite a few years, ma’am.”

“Do you like it? I think our country is on a downward slide.

It just seems as though it’s all about the rich and nothing for the ordinary man. We are also losing our moral values.”

“Yes, ma’am, I like it.

Apparently, I would not be here if I didn’t. Change is constant.

All societies change and it’s our responsibility to make sure our communities change in the right direction. Evil never sits idly by and waits for good to take over.”

“True, Choice, true. Do you miss home - I mean Nigeria?”

“I do. I do very much. I think about it all the time. It’s hard to get rid of the love you have for the land of your birth. Besides, my family and the friends I grew up with are there, for the most part.”

“What do you miss the most?”

“My family, friends, the ambience of my native community.

I love our culture - the way we entertain guests and friends, respect for elders, our food, our dressing, moral values. I love the simplicity of our lifestyle. I love that I could drink beer anywhere and at anytime.”

“Can’t you do all that here?

America accommodates all cultures and I don’t see why you can’t do all that here. Do you?”

“Nothing in any American law or American culture prevents me from enjoying all that here. Sometimes, though, you get the feeling that the laws are occasionally too restrictive.

I didn’t know there was such a thing as a minimum legal drinking age until I came here. You can’t just sit outside in public with a bunch of friends and enjoy cold beer. You have to be mindful of how much noise you’re making when you play your music. I didn’t know there was such a thing as driving speed limits until I came here. Besides, when you socialize, you like to do it with real people - real, physical people.

But most of the people with whom I should do those are back in Nigeria.

Don’t get me wrong. I have friends here and I do love this country; I love America. I said that earlier.”

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“There are many Nigerians in this city. Don’t you guys interact, socialize?”

“We do when we can. But the mere fact that someone is a Nigerian does not make him your friend, not to mention the fact that the Nigerians that live here are scattered all over the place. In Nigeria, most people do just one job. Here, a large number of the people have two or more jobs. All that makes it hard for people to interact socially.”

“Do you talk to your folks back home often?”

“I do. We talk on the phone, on Facebook, via SMS; we exchange emails and such. The problem is that this is all electronic. You cannot replace the feeling and joy of being with your folks physically with the satisfaction of electronic conversation.”

“I hope I’m not being too inquisitive. Give me a sense of what

it feels like, as an immigrant to live in America. I’ve always lived in Texas; so I can’t see it from your point of view. If you don’t mind, and be honest, Choice, compare America with your home country.”

“A comparison is a bit of a big task, but let me quickly say this.

People don’t learn how to be lefthanded at old age. The lifestyle you grew up with, including the sort of music you grew up with, is the one you are likely going to stick to. That is true for me. America is a land of opportunity: opportunity for jobs, education, equality, and so forth.

It is not perfect, but it is excellent in this regard. But America is very individualistic. For as long as I’ve lived in my neighborhood, I’ve never entered my neighbor’s house; he has never entered mine either.

Every once in a while, we say ‘Hi’ to each other and that’s it. Whether it is school, church, the club, or elsewhere, once the deal is done, we

People don’t learn how to be left-handed at old age. The lifestyle you grew up with, including the sort of music you grew up with, is the one you are likely going to stick to. That is true for me. America is a land of opportunity: opportunity for jobs, education, equality, and so forth. It is not perfect, but it is excellent in this regard. But America is very individualistic. For as long as I’ve lived in my neighborhood, I’ve never entered my neighbor’s house; he has never entered mine either. Every once in a while, we say ‘Hi’ to each other and that’s it. Whether it is school, church, the club, or elsewhere, once the deal is done, we all disperse and that is it.

all disperse and that is it. No real, personal connection. I believe, for a guy like me, the natural need for social interaction is hard to meet in this kind of setting. But most immigrant appreciate the level of orderliness, fairness, opportunity, decency, security of life and property, and respect for a man’s dignity that you find in America.

However, the individualistic nature of the society means that many people live their social life mostly in a virtual planet - on Facebook, via the telephone, via email, and such. A real physical community, where you visit very good and trustworthy friends, where you interact physically with family members, where you drink and eat with each other and have some good laughs, is absent for many immigrants. It’s not really easy for immigrants to integrate with native-born Americans and make friends with them and be as close to them as they would do with their folks back home. It seems to me that there would always be some sort of cultural divide. And for me, that’s the very reason I miss Nigeria so very badly. It is a dilemma: you miss your folks and your native way of life, but you love the opportunity, orderliness, fairness, and decency of American life. Very seriously too, you are worried everyday by the level of insecurity of life and property in your home country.

You are worried by the sort of irresponsible government that has taken your home country hostage and subjected it unspeakable brigandage.”

Choice Ekpekurede wrote in from Texas, USA.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 17

Metro AEPB unveils waste sorting bins in FCT

By Stanley Onyekwere with agency news

A

Young men lending helping hands to a wheelbarrow pusher, yesterday at Nyanya market, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Refuse collection: Residents commend AMAC, Satellite Development Agency

S

ome residents of Karu and Jikwoyi areas of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have commended the efforts by AMAC and the Satellite Development Agency (STDA) on refuse collection.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, the residents urged the agencies to sustain the exercise.

Mrs Uzoma Ekeh, a teacher, said she was happy when she saw an evacuation truck along the main streets in her area packing the waste. ‘’When we start seeing positive impact of people entrusted with certain responsibilities, it becomes easier for people to adjust to change. ‘’I strongly believe that if it continues this way, people will be

accustomed to keeping their refuse in a place since they know that people will come along to collect it.’’

She said that this would discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse and help ensure a clean environment free from unpleasant odour.

Another resident, Mr Alloy Brown, a pharmacist, observed that a fraction of the money people spent on health-related issues could be channelled into achieving good sanitation. ‘’You see, what we don’t know is that most of these little good habits help to build up a decent foundation that blessings flow from. ‘’Let us look at this simple way of collection of refuse; when people get used to it. it would go a long way to ensure a cleaner

environment. ‘’I really commend the effort of AMAC and the Satellite Town Development Agency; they should sustain it for it will go a long way to reduce indiscriminate disposal of refuse,’’ Brown said.

Mrs Anna Oye, a trader, noted that since the arrival of the truck, the packing of refuse at the market had improved tremendously. ‘’This evacuation of refuse by government is very good because we market people generate greater chunk of the refuse and now that they come around we hand it over to them. ‘’It helps to keep the market cleaner and pleasant; it is really good because it is re-echoing the sanitary feelings of our olden days. ‘’I pray that it will be sustained as well as monitored to make sure that everyone is complying with the

mood of the change,’’ Oye said.

NAN recalls that Hajia Meumunatu Abubakar, the Head of the Environment Department in AMAC had advised residents to take the issue of environment seriously.

He said that the agency had been trying to cope with the challenges of sensitising the people to the need to take care of the environment.

NAN recalls also that Mr Azeez Sanni, the Environmental Health Officer with the Satellite Town Development Agency, had urged residents of the FCT to ensure proper management of their waste.

He said the agency was collaborating with all area councils in the FCT to ensure that refuse was properly managed and disposed, to engender a clean and safe environment for the citizenry.

(NAN)

NGO stresses need for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians

T

he Chairperson of Teenz Global Foundation, an NGO in the FCT, Miss Ijeoma Idika-Chima, has stressed the need for peaceful co-existence among the Nigerians.

Idika-Chima told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the foundation would take the challenge through its sensitisation programme in the country.

She said that the programme, which would cut across the states,

would contribute to the eradication of social vices among the teenagers.

She stressed the need for stakeholders to help abolish the existing negative cultural norms that increase moral decadence among teenagers.

Idika-Chima said that there was also the need to inspire the teenagers to uphold good moral virtues, rather than indulging in all manners of social vices. ``We have been able to reach out to teenagers and children across different

locations in Nigeria through our direct and indirect access. ``The organisation has therefore been able to contribute to the eradication of social vices and crimes embedded and associated with the Nigerian teenagers,” she said.

At the end of the sensitisation programme, the chairperson said abilities of teenagers when developed psychologically, physically and socially would enable them become

role models to the younger ones. ``Teenagers should be given a voice in our society to air their views, showcase their talents, learn and discuss issues as it affects their lives,’’ she said.

Idika-Chima said that the foundation in a bid to capture teenagers between 10 and 19 years of age had taken the sensitisation and enlightenment programmes to secondary schools across the northern part of the country.

She said that states

like Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa State, among others had been captured.

She said that the foundation would be organising the 2013 conference on promoting education, character and culture among Nigerian teens on Aug. 17.

The NGO chairperson said that the conference was aimed at targeting teenagers within the Federal Capital Territory toward repositioning the value system in them.

(NAN)

buja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) yesterday launched waste bins for sorting of waste from the source in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mrs Aishat Adebayo, the Acting Director of the board, while lunching the bins in Abuja, said the project was part of the waste-to-wealth initiative of the FCT administration.

Adebayo said the development of the bins was an improvement on the existing trash bins available to residents.

She said that the sorting bins would be used for waste sorting from the source to separate items that could be recycled from the biodegradables. ``This is an entire improvement on what we used to have as single trash bins. ``You can see that the bins contain three chambers meant for the separation of bottles, plastics, kitchen and chemical wastes,’’ Adebayo said.

The acting director said the bins would be made available to residents soon.

She also said that the project would mark the commencement of waste recycling in the FCT and called on users of such items to get ready for their availability.

Adebayo said the project was at its pilot stage but added: ``I assure you that the private sector will soon come in to give it a Public Private Partnership (PPP) outlook and to boost the availability of the recyclable items.’’

She also said that the project was part of the FCT waste recycling project, which commenced at Mpape sometime ago.

She, however, said that the Mpape landfill was a more comprehensive waste recycling site meant for the conversion of wastes after collection from different parts of Abuja. ``This new initiative is to complement the existing waste recycling plant located at Mpape. ``These bins, as you can see, will be taken to houses, offices and schools for the purpose of primary sorting,’’ Adebayo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT administration has commenced development of the facility for the sorting and conversion of waste after collections at Mpape.

The facility is expected to be used for the recycling of waste materials into various products, such as energy, plastics, bottles, cans, among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 16

By Adeola Tukuru

F

CT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has expressed delight over the increasing understanding of the land swap development initiative by Nigerians, especially the Abuja original inhabitants.

The Minister spoke when the Chairman of Haitong International Group, China, Mr. Ren Dehuan led the management members of the Nigerian wing of the company to pay him a courtesy call in his office on Tuesday.

According to the Minister, it’s really a thing of joy that majority of the affected natives of Abuja are beginning to see the merits of the land swap initiative, based on the package for their welfare in form of resettlement and compensation.

According to him, the people particularly the youths, traditional rulers and women have shown remarkable understanding.

He pledged to do more to enlighten and carry the people along on the policy.

Senator Mohammed restated his promise that the government will do everything possible to ensure that the original inhabitants are adequately catered for under the land swap initiative.

The Minister acknowledged that some community related challenges had actually created wrong perception about the land swap scheme, but nevertheless, he observed that those erroneous assumptions were fading away based on better understanding by the people.

He commended the Haitong Group for demonstrating that the relationship between China and Nigeria can be made mutually beneficial through the outstanding commitment they have shown in the land swap initiative and other projects in FCT. Said the Minister: “Their (Haitong Group) contribution has helped

Land Swap deal excites FCT minister tremendously towards achieving engineering design for the land swap development initiative. Haitong is one of the companies that have not just shown interest in land swap in FCT but the transformation agenda of the Federal Government. Their involvement is not just restricted to the provision of infrastructure Ketti District but also provision of primary roads that will open the other districts involved in land swap development within Phase 4 of the Federal Capital City. They have demonstrated commitment to the development of

FCT through leveraging on private capital via private/public partnership.”

The Minister stated that he was looking forward to the signing of the development agreement with the company within the shortest possible time. According to him, it is a thing of joy that the company has not only done its technical plan but also a financial plan for the project.

Senator Bala Mohammed accepted an invitation by the Chairman of the company, Mr. Denhua to visit Beijing, China and assured that the interest shown by the company in

ISEX PPP was receiving consideration.

Earlier, the Chairman of Haitong Group, Mr. Denhua had told the Minister that the company has submitted its preliminary engineering design for the infrastructure project.

He thanked the Minister for the opportunity to participate in the development of FCT. Mr. Denhua recalled the recent visit by President Goodluck Jonathan to China, stressing that the trip offered Nigerian and Chinese businessmen an opportunity to discuss trade and investment matters. He pledged on

FCTA assures conducive business environment to reduce poverty, unemployment

F

A Gbabgi woman playing the role of a chief to entertain guests at an event in Orozo, Abuja recently.

Photo: Miriam Humbe

FCT doles vehicles, cash to deaf association

By Adeola Tukuru

F

CT Administration has restated it’s commitment to address the plight of vulnerable groups in the FCT. Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide gave this assurance when she donated a 16- seater bus and the sum of N2.5 Million Naira to the FCT Association of the Deaf.

She expressed the readiness

of the FCT Administration through the Social Development Secretariat to work in partnership with the association in realizing its objectives of providing better livelihood to its members in the FCT. In her words: “This demonstrates our commitment in supporting everybody in the territory and more especially those who need extra help and assistance to enable them realize

their potentials”.

She stressed the need for the Association to mobilize its members to embrace government empowerment initiatives and avoid engaging in illicit activities such as street begging which could expose them to danger.

The administration, she added has provided slots for the physically challenged in employment of staff.

In her remarks earlier, the Secretary, Social Development Secretariat Mrs. Blessing Onuh commended members of the association whom she noted have been very organized and orderly.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Mr. Timothy Timat thanked the Minister for the donation which he noted will go a long way in enhancing the smooth running of their activities.

Kuje council commences screening of teachers

T

he Kuje Area Council of the FCT has commenced Hybrid Biometric Identification Exercise (HBIE) for the staff of the Local Education Authority (LEA) in Kuje.

Mr. Ado Babatakwa,

behalf of the company to build “a classic district in Ketti” declaring that when completed, the district would be the number one district in Nigeria.

Denhua stated that their company was the first to start designing access roads, adding that once this is achieved, it will pave way for other developments.

He pledged to work speedily to deliver the project in record time. He also urged speedy completion of the signing of all the necessary agreements, while inviting the Hon. Minister to visit Beijing.

Head of Administration at the LEA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the objective of the exercise is to screen and get the actual number of staff members in the LEA. NAN reports that the

routine exercise, organised by the Civil Service Commission, is aimed at finding lasting solution to the issue ghost workers in the civil service.

Babatakwa said the exercise had to be done

when the schools are on holiday in order to have full attention of the teachers. ``The screening exercise is a normal routine for screening of teaching and non-teaching staff of LEA. ``We have 1, 300 as

teaching staff and 480 as non-teaching staff and we intend to use only three weeks for the exercise. ``Anybody that is not physically present will not be identified as a staff member of the LEA,’’ he said. (NAN)

ederal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says it will continue to ensure enabling environment for businesses to strive in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reduce poverty and enhance job creation.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide gave the assurance at the public presentation of Pottery Crank Wheel to Giri community pottery centre, Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council.

She said that the pottery crank wheel was a mechanical device that would replace the drudgery and laborious process of traditional moulding and forming techniques.

Akinjide, who was represented by her Special Adviser on Area Councils, Alhaji Ibraheem Ibraheem, commended the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and Abuja Enterprise Agency for providing the equipment.

According to the minister, the equipment will no doubt enhance mass production of circular shapes such as cups, flowers vases, pots, plates and jugs.

In his remark, Prof. Peter Onwualu, the Director General, RMRDC said that the pottery wheel was designed to replace the drudgery of manual hand building in small scale pottery production.

He said that the flag off of public presentation of the pottery crank wheel in FCT followed the abundant availability of clay materials and their utilisation by small scale moulders located in different parts of the territory. ``The demand for land is very high in FCT and it is important that the land where clay and other mineral resources abound should be protected and reserved for industrial development,” he said.

The Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Giri, noted that the presentation of the machine would no doubt boost pottery production in the community.

He called on other public and private organisations to partner with government in reducing poverty and unemployment among youths in the area. (NAN)

PAGE 18

Metro

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

INSIDE FCT COURTS

Scavenger, 27, jailed for stealing church musical equipment

A

Kuje Area Court in the FCT, on Wednesday sentenced a 27-year-old scavenger Jemilu Abubakar, to four months imprisonment for criminal trespass and theft.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Ocheche Samuel, told the court that the case was reported at Kuje Police Station on Aug. 12 by Mr James Fasomoye of Celestial Church of Christ, Lanto Road, Kuje.

He said that the accused,

who resides at the forest area in Kuje, stole a musical instrument belonging to the complainant’s church. ``On August 12, 2013 at about 8.30 p.m.

Abubakar entered the Celestial Church of Christ and stole musical instrument. ``He stole two wireless microphones, three wireless musical speakers, a generator and a blackberry phone all valued at N82, 000.

``After committing the crime, he was caught on Aug. 13 while trying to sell two speakers at a second hand goods market (panteka) in Kuje forest.

The prosecutor said that during investigation, only two speakers were recovered from the accused, adding that the remaining items were yet to be found.

Samuel said that the offence contravened the

provisions of section 342 and 287 of the penal code.

Abubakar pleaded guilty to the charges.

The Judge, Mr Nuhu Ibrahim, who sentenced the accused to four months in prison, however gave him an option of paying N10, 000 fine.

Ibrahim also ordered Abubakar to pay N52, 000 as compensation to the complainant. (NAN)

An articulated vehicle loaded with goods and passengers, recently along Nyanya-Jikwoi Road, in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Man, 19, charged with stealing generator

T

he police on Wednesday arraigned Adamu Mohammed, 19, of no known address, at a Grade 1 Area Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State for allegedly stealing generator from a mosque.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Inuwa Maigida, told the court that

the matter was reported by Garba Sallau of Tudun Wada, Mararaba, at the `A’ Division Police Station on Aug. 4.

Maigida said Mohammed stole the generator valued N14,000 after the 5.45 a.m. prayers at the Tudun Wada Mosque.

Maigida said the offence

contravened the provisions of section 288 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, the accused could spend seven years in prison or pay a fine.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The presiding judge, Mr. Albert Maga, granted the accused

bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum.

Maga said the surety must possess landed property and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to September 5, 2013 for hearing.

(NAN)

Two men in court for shop breaking

T

he police on Tuesday arraigned two men at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court on a twocount charge of joint act and theft.

Amos Dadau, 24, of Utako and Friday Daniel, 31, of Garki, were alleged to have conspired and broken into a shop belonging to one Mrs Precious Edeh and stolen a television set and a microwave.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Emmanuel Nnamani, told the court that Edeh of Precious Garden, Area 10, Garki, reported

the matter at the Garki Police Station on Aug. 4.

Nnamani told the court that on July 26 the accused persons conspired and broke into Edeh’s shop and stole three stabilisers and 80 bottles of beer, all valued at N119,000.

He said that police investigation revealed that the stolen television, microwave and stabiliser were recovered in the accused person’s possession.

He added that the offence contravened sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code, which stipulates that a convict

under these sections, could be imprisoned for a maximum of seven years, fined or suffer both penalties.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Gabriel Egbule, counsel to the accused, prayed the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms, considering that they had been in detention for over seven days.

Egbule said his clients would not jump bail and would provide reasonable sureties who would take them on bail.

He added that Section 36 of

the Nigerian Constitution states that an accused is innocent until proven otherwise and urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his clients.

The Magistrate, Mrs Simisola Adeniyi, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two responsible sureties each in like sum.

Adeniyi said the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, adding that their addresses must be verified by the prosecutor.

She adjourned the case to Oct. 3,2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Security guard bags 6 months imprisonment for theft

A

n Abuja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sentenced 19-year-old security guard Rabiu Lawal to six months imprisonment without an option of fine for stealing canopies and machines worth N150,000.

The magistrate, Mr Abdullateef Abolaji, convicted Lawal after he pleaded guilty to the one- count charge of theft.

He said Lawal did not show any sign of remorse. ``Lawal is a Muslim and committed this offence while observing the Ramadan fast; he does not understand the gravity of his actions,’’ the magistrate said.

Abolaji said he gave the convict a light sentence because he was a first-time offender who admitted committing the offence and did not waste the time of the court.

The prosecutor, Friday Idi, said Mr Isaac Joshua, a resident of Duste Bukuma, Abuja, reported the matter at the Gwarinpa Police Station, Abuja, on Aug.3.

He said the convict unlawfully entered Joshua’s the car wash premises and stole canopies and machines valued at N150,000.

Idi said that during a search of the convict’s residence, the police found the stolen items in his possession.

In another development, the police on Tuesday arraigned Okon Hussain, 30, for alleged assault and impersonation of an army officer.

Hussain, who resides at Mpape, Abuja, is standing trial before Magistrate, Abdullateef Abolaji, on a two-count charge of assault and impersonation.

The prosecutor, Insp Philip Apollos, said the accused went to Angwan Cement Village, in an army uniform with an identity card and posed as an army officer.

Apollos said that Hussain intimidated and harassed innocent residents of the area.

He said that a police officer, Insp Clement Egwu, arrested the accused and reported the matter to the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on July 31.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Linus Okwute, orally applied for bail and submitted that Hussain would neither jump bail nor interfere with police investigation.

The magistrate granted bail to the accused person in the sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Abolaji said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and should deposit either a driver’s licence or a National Identity card with the court registrar.

He adjourned the matter to Aug. 16, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 19

INSIDE

Isa_abdulwahab@yahoo.com, Isaabdulwahab@gmail.com 08033045613

S/ Africa’s MTN set for cost reduction due to weak home market - Pg 22

Keeping hope alive with fish farming; Jacob Kaaungwa’s experience - Pg 21

L-R: National Coordinator, Opus securitas agency, Rev. Sister Clare Emeruom; Executive Secretary, Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey; and Head, Medium Tax Office, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Kolawole Thomas, during the CCFN and Nigeria tax administration and management training workshop which held yesterday in Abuja.

PHOTO; JUSTIN IMO-OWO

New Naira notes out september T he Central Bank of Nigeria will take delivery of new naira notes before the end of September for circulation, the Deputy Governor ( Operations) Dr Tunde Lemo, has said.

Lemo stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The apex bank had earlier said that new naira notes would be in circulation by June, and that the smaller denomination notes (N5, N10, N20, and N50) would be reprinted on paper.

“We are going to take delivery of the new notes from this month of August. We will take delivery of the new notes before the end of September.

“The public will get a large quantity of the new notes to replace the old and mutilated notes, particularly the higher denomination notes in the first instance, then later the lower denominations,’’ he said.

On the scarcity of the lower denomination notes, Lemo blamed commercial banks for what he called “poor circulation”.

“For the lower denomination; well, I think the banks are really the ones that are really not allowing the lower denomination in circulation, largely, because of the carrying value.

“Most people don’t require small denomination. But for buying things in the market, if you look at the veracity, you find out

that the N50 circulate more than the smaller ones,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Lemo has urged law enforcement agencies to arrest all illegal hawkers of new naira notes.

He also called on commercial banks to keep watchful eyes on their staff to avoid being used as conduit for illegal transfer of new notes to unauthorised hands.

Lemo said this should be done to ensure effective protection of the currency from abuse.

“We have done all we can do in the sense that we have criminalised this in the 2007 Act “It is clear that if you hawk notes, if you abuse the currency, it is a criminal offence and it is punishable.

We expect law

Jaiz joins forex trading next month

By Abdulwahab Isa Nigeria’s first non-interest bank- Jaiz Bank Plc, will begin foreign exchange transactions next month to cater for its numerous clients desirous of foreign transactions.

A statement by the Bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Idris Salihu said the bank will commence bidding for its BDC customers from all branches by first week of September 2013.

With the entrant of Jaiz to forex transactions, it means the bank is eligible to process

forex transactions for eligible Bureau de Change at the Central Bank of Nigeria just as it has also, commenced over the counter transactions of PTA and BTA sales at all its branches.

Jaiz Bank Plc. obtained a Regional operating license to operate as a Non-Interest Bank from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the 11th of November 2011 and begun full operations as the first Non-Interest Bank in Nigeria on the 6th of January, 2012 with 3 branches located in

Abuja FCT, Kaduna and Kano. It has since expanded its network of branches to 10 with additional branches in Gombe, Maiduguri, Katsina and additional branches in Abuja and Kano.

The capital base of the Bank has also grown from N5 billion when it started operations last year to about N10billion.

This will enable the Bank to apply for National Banking license from the Central Bank of Nigerian and thus position it to operate in all the States of the Federation.

enforcement agencies to do the arrest. We don’t have power to arrest. We know it is going on,’’ he said.

Lemo said commercial banks should ``dispense and pay their customers with new notes’’.

He said the apex bank had carried out sensitisation campaigns to inform the public and warn them about the dangers of patronising hawkers.

“I think that is the limit the central bank can go,’’ the deputy governor said.

NAN reports that new naira notes are sold at Dei Dei along Kubwa Express Road, Abuja, as well as other locations across the country. (NAN)

Uncertainty over job creation figures - Pg 20 Exchange Rates CBN

as at 14th August, 2013

Buying

Selling

$

154.75

155.75

€

239.80

241.35

£

205.02

206.35

Riyal

41.26

41.52

SDR

234.80

236.31

CFA

0.2943

0.3143

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY Explain why you’re making a career move

Y

our decision to shift careers is often hard to translate to others.

People may question whether it’s too risky to leave your current company or if you’re really qualified to enter a new field. But you can address the skepticism of potential employers, colleagues, and others by doing these three things: Connect the dots. Make it clear you’re not starting from scratch. Link the skills you used in your previous roles to what you’ll be

doing in the future.

Tell a story. Create a coherent narrative of your career trajectory.

People will understand more easily if they see the move as a logical extension of the past, rather than a rupture.

Focus on the value you bring to others. People sometimes view career transitions as a sign of narcissism or a midlife crisis.

Don’t reinforce that by making it all about you. Instead, focus on the value you bring to the new position.

PAGE 20

Commerce&industry Company News

We’ll reduce recurrent expenditure to 68.7% —Sambo

V

ice-President Namadi Sambo on Tuesday said recurrent expenditure in the 2013 budget would be reduced to 68.7 per cent from the 71.5 per cent recorded last year.

He said in Minna, the Niger State capital while declaring open the National Council on Finance and Economic Development that the government’s expenditure was expected to grow by less than one per cent this year.

FCMB divests holdings in City Securities Registrars

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Uncertainty over job creation figures Stories by Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

s Nigerians are worried over rising level of unemployment in the country, figures of jobs created in 2012 has continue to generate doubts as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said about 427,294 new jobs were created in the third quarter of last year, but the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga said the Federal Government created 32million indirect jobs through the 17.2 MSMEs in 2012 alone.

In a survey by NBS, which was signed by the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale,

the Bureau said the need to fill a position vacated by an ex-employee recorded the highest percentage of those employed with 29.9 per cent.

The report added that 56,528 employees exited from various businesses in the third quarter of last year with most of them from the clerical cadre.

NBS noted in the report that the informal sector, with 240,349 fresh new jobs, generated the highest employment within the period under review.

The 240,349 figure, it noted accounted for 55.25 per cent of the total number of jobs created in the period.

There are over 17 million enterprises in the informal sector, according to

the report.

The formal sector, with 164,293 jobs represents 38.45 per cent; and the public sector, with 22,642, or 5.3 per cent, followed in that order.

“During the third quarter of 2012, 240,359 jobs are estimated to have been created in the informal sector, representing 55.25 per cent, followed by the formal sector with 164,293 jobs representing 38.45 per cent, and the public sector was 22,642, which is about 5.3 per cent.

“The total estimated number of jobs created in the economy for the third quarter of 2012 came to 427,294,” the report added.

Aganga at a workshop on the revised policy of the MSMEs and the launch of National Enterprises

Development Programme (NEDEP) and the Ogun State Council on MSMEs in Abeokuta, Ogun State said government has concluded plans to create five million jobs by 2015 through the expansion of MSMEs. He said the Federal Government is committed to addressing the challenges of unemployment in the country through the development of a robust sustainable Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sub sector.

He also promised to forward a proposal to the Federal Executive Council on the need to ensure production of school uniforms from made-in-Nigeria fabrics in order to encourage enterprise development.

F

irst City Monument Bank has divested itself of City Securities Registrars Limited, a statement from the bank said on Tuesday.

According to the bank, the move was in line with the holding company structure.

Following the divestment, the bank said City Securities Registrars Limited had been wholly acquired by Cardinal Stone Partners Limited, a full service investment banking firm.

We didn’t obtain aid from Britain – NASRDA

T

he DirectorGeneral, National Space Research and Development Agency, Prof.

Seidu Mohammed, has described the claims by a member of the European Parliament, Mr. Godfrey Bloom, that the Nigerian Space Programme is being funded with aid from the British government as mischievous and untrue.

He stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at a press conference called to dispel Bloom’s claim.

PSF not PPPRA owes N4.4bn – NEITI

T

he Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has absolved the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency of responsibility for the N4.423bn debt it claimed arose from overrecovery collected from independent oil marketers between 2008 and 2009.

This was contained in a joint statement signed by the Executive Secretaries of NEITI and PPPRA, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed and Mr. Reginald Stanley, respectively.

L-R: Guest lecturer, Prof. Mike Obadan, Director General, Nigerian institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Prof. Olufemi Taiwo, and chairman of the occasion, prof. Tunji Titilola, during the lecture on “Nigeria Vision 20: 2020 Prospects and Challenges’’, on tuesday in Ibadan.

PHOTO: NAN

NASSI tasks Lagos on poultry farmers

T

he Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) Lagos chapter, Segun Kuti-George, on Saturday urged the Lagos State Government to provide an enabling environment for poultry farmers to thrive.

Kuti-George in an interview in Lagos said that many poultry farms had folded up due to the uncertainty being experienced by the owners, while most of them had relocated to the suburbs in Ogun.

“Many small scale poultry farmers have been frustrated out of business due to multiple taxes, and levies like local government dues, environmental dues, and even the unnecessary ones.

“The ones that are still surviving also find it difficult to access loans because the loans that were once around 9 per cent are now given at 24 to 25 per cent.

“This present situation has served

as a discouragement to upcoming youths who are interested in poultry farming,” Kuti-George said.

Meanwhile, Gbolabo Olanihun, a poultry farmer based in Lagos, urged the federal and state governments to further empower poultry farmers.

Olanihun added that the business would turn out to be very lucrative, if more investment was added, stressing that he could employ 20 graduates or more if granted access to loans for expansion. however as part of effort to promote Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, the Lagos State Government has concluded plans to host the year 2013 domestic trade fair tagged Eko Expo, aimed at promoting locally made products in the country.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, who disclosed this in Ikeja, said foreign exhibitors from Indonesia

and China were among the various organizations that have indicated interest to participate in the fair billed to hold at Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Oladejo, explained that the government is organising the coming expo in collaboration with the Lekki Free Zone Development Company, as a result of the successes recorded with last year’s fair, where a total of 175 investors participated.

He said the fair would further promote investment opportunities available at the zone, as well as provide platform for operators in small and medium scale industries to showcase what they do.

According to him, “The choice of Lekki Free Zone as the venue for this year’s fair is to familiarise the business community with the peculiar incentives offered by the zone and the need to invest therein.”

He listed such incentives to include,

complete tax holiday from all federal, State and Local governments, taxes, rates, customs duties and levies; one-stop approval for all permits, operating license and incorporation papers.

Others include; Duty free, taxfree import of raw materials and components destined for re-export; duty- free capital goods, consumer goods, machinery, equipments and furniture among others.

The Special Adviser said the ministry will make provision of a free shuttle buses that will be stationed at Oriental Hotel along Lekki-Epe road to convey interested people to and fro the fairground all through the seven days that the fair will last.

“This is meant to assist visitors to get to the fair venue with ease, in addition to accommodations available at the zone for exhibitors to make their stay during this period comfortable.”

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 21

Enterpreneurship

Keeping hope alive with fish farming; Jacob Kaaungwa’s experience From Hauwa Anaja, Abuja

I

t is a known fact that education is very important to man.

Not only does it provide an opportunity to be enlightened, it helps create a window to greater achievements.

Back in the days, going to school was a luxury only a few could afford, however, modern day revolutions have reversed the situation. Today, sons and daughters of farmers, traders, fishermen among other artisans can boast of having education, thanks to greater awareness.

Before now, agriculture was seen as a occupation of the illiterate.

A cattle rarer, fish farmer, poultry farmer, rice, maize or beans farmer was considered uneducated.

However, technological advancement has made agriculture a job for anyone with an interest and the strength for it.

That’s why when Jacob Bem Kaaungwa, took up fish farming after his HND in Electrical electronics from Bida Polytechnic in Niger state North Central Nigeria, he didn’t consider it a lowly job for an elite, but a means to greater ends.

A thriring fish pond business

“What inspired me to go into fish farming was that I looked around and learnt that the level of fish consumption in Nigeria was very high and it’s hardly enough because only few people are into fish farming,” he said.

Starting he says wasn’t easy, but the challenges always spurred him on. “I’ve been doing it for three years and starting was not easy because I didn’t have enough capital. Initially what I did was to rent a place in Kubwa metropolis of the FCT, to rare the fish and at some point, the owner of the land asked me to stop.

Jacob adds that fish farming is lucrative; adding that the profit from the business has helped him to overcome his financial crises.

He however laments that expanding his fish farm has continued to prove difficult as a result of numerous challenges.

“The major challenge is land.

Once you have a land, you can use a surface pond, earth pond, rubber or even tarpaulin. Once you get a secured land, getting a pond isn’t a problem. Its quiet affordable once you have a land, but you and I know that getting a land especially in a city like Abuja is quiet difficult.

“Secondly, if am to go into it big time, I need a good source of water

Mr. Jacob

in order to change it regularly for the fish’s healthy breeding,” he says.

Jacob notes with delight that venturing in to fish farming has afforded him the opportunity to learn more about fishes and how to care for them.

“When I started the business, initially I didn’t know how to care for the fishes, I had to pay someone to do that but now, I’ve learnt to make their feeds, and care for them, and it’s helping me cut cost,” Jacob adds.

With the increase in unemployment and with growing concerns that government’s efforts can not be sufficient to salvage the situation, observers and employment experts have opined that an enabling business environment where small and medium enterprises can thrive would be a much desired step in the efforts to reduce unemployment.

The young fish farmer Jacob Kaaungwa suggests that government must make access to loans easier for farmers.

“Government say they make loans available but getting it is not easy. Government should try to make it easier for people to access the loans. For instance if you try to get a loan from say

Fadama project, it’s very difficult.

Their conditions are very strict, we have to form a cooperative society with other fish farmers before we can even get close to such loans, and it’s not easy to get people who would think alike and chart the way forward together,’’ he laments.

“So, government should make it easier to access loans, the interest should be very minimal with little or no collateral. Most times we have to deposit something before we access a loan. “... assuming am a beginner who doesn’t have any source of income and I want a loan of ten million naira and you are requesting me to have at least ten percent of ten million naira before I can access that loan, for someone who has nowhere to get money from how can such a person get that kind of money,” he questioned.

Though the times are tough, with little or no support from authorities, Jacob and many other young farmers are taking the bull by the horns and daring their challenges to their faces.

With collaboration amongst fellow fish farmers, seminars, workshops and other knowledge sharing avenues, young farmers like Jacob are learning new ways to keep hope alive.

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Business

S/Africa’s MTN set for cost reduction due to weak home market

by Abdulwahab Isa with agency report

MTN South Africa, the largest telecoms has announced plans to cut costs in South Africa home market by reducing its outsourced labour force and distribution and procurement expenses.

The decision comes as the Telecoms posted a 22 percent rise in first-half earnings as foreign exchange gains from international operations made up for a weak performance in South Africa, one of its biggest markets.

The company, with 22 operations across Africa and the Middle East, on Wednesday said it planned to cut costs in its South African home market by reducing its outsourced

labour force and distribution and procurement expenses.

Stiff price competition between the four telecoms providers in its home patch - market leader Vodacom, second-placed MTN, Cell C and Telkom’s 8ta has hit MTN’s margins.

MTN said its South African EBITDA margin fell by 2.1 percentage points in the first half, from 35.4 percent a year ago.

“The focus on costs for South Africa is going to be important as we deal with this kind of structural pricing situation that we have seen during the first half of the year,” Chief Executive Sifiso Dabengwa said in a presentation.

MTN’s South African subscribers shrank by 1.5 percent to 25 million

in the first six months, while revenue declined by 1.4 percent from the previous year.

“The numbers were worse than expected. They have clearly not kept up with the market,” said an analyst who asked not to be identified because he is not allowed to give named quotes to media.

They have a dot on the horizon with regard to Nigeria but it’s still a long road to travel.”

Nigeria was the biggest revenue earner in the six-month period, although earnings from the country and other international operations were boosted by a 16 percent decline in the South African rand.

The company added 12.2 million new users in the first six months, in line with a 21.1 million subscribers

target for the year.

MTN had to cut off 3.2 million users out of its 55.2 million customers in Nigeria in July due to regulations demanding that all subscribers there be registered.

Dabengwa said MTN was still in talks regarding repatriation of a $400 million loan from Iran and a further $50-$200 million in dividends.

He said last month’s resignation of chief financial officer Nazir Patel was not related to its operations in Iran, as some media reports have speculated.

MTN, which failed to clinch a much coveted licence in Myanmar earlier this year, said it had dropped talks to acquire Neotel, the South African unit of India’s Tata

Communications.

MTN’s diluted headline earnings per share totalled 649 cents for the six months to end-June, compared with 532 cents last year. Headline EPS, the main profit gauge in South Africa, excludes certain one-time items.

It had flagged earlier this month its results would likely rise by as much as 25 percent.

Group revenue rose nearly 10 percent to 65.2 billion rand ($6.53 billion), and subscribers totalled 201.5 million, a 6.5 percent increase.

MTM shares closed 1.6 percent higher, ahead of the benchmark Top-40 index which was up 0.9 percent. ($1 = 9.9813 South African rand) .

FG moves to empower Young Entrepreaneurs

By Etuka Sunday

T

L-R: Hetal Shah-of Mara Foundation, CEO Bluebird Capital, Mr. Peter Owunna, Vice-President, Pan African Youth Council, Mr. Ndaba Mandela, President, Mara Foundation Group, Mr. Ashish j Thakkar, Special Adviser to the President on Youth Empowerment, Ambassador Obinna Adim, Chairman, Fortis Mobile Money Plc, Mr. Felix Achibiri, and President MTV Networks Africa, Mr. Alex Okosi, after a collaborative session on mentorship programme for Nigerian youth, on Tuesday at the State House, in Abuja.

Okonjo-Iweala expresses concern over expenditure of state resources on salaries

T

he Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has expressed concern about states expending their resources on salaries and operational cost rather than on capital projects.

Okonjo-Iweala said this in Minna at the National Council for Economic Development (NACOFED) conference which kicked off on Tuesday.

She said that there was the need for states to make strategic choices about how to spend their allocation from the federation account.

“The structure of our public expenditure is lopsided, at the federal level and in most states, our budgets consist mostly of recurrent expenditures such as payroll and overhead expenses.

“Yet, we continue to have more demands for more recurrent spending.

“At present, ASUU wants government to pay N92 billion in extra allowances when the

resources are not there and when we are working to integrate past increases in pensions,’’ she said.

According to her, we need to make choices in this country as we are getting to the stage where recurrent expenditures take the bulk of our resources and people get paid but can do no work.

Okonjo- Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, said that at the federal level, there had been recent progress in improving public financial management in the country.

The minister said that government was paying close attention to the management of the country’s foreign and domestic debt.

She said that the ministry was collaborating with the Debt Management Office to get a clearer picture of outstanding debts incurred by state governments.

The coordinating minister also urged state governments to keep “an eagle eye on domestic

borrowings’’.

According to her, the Federal Government is working hard to diversify the economy as part of its strategy, thereby reducing over dependence on the oil sector.

Okonjo-Iweala said that efforts were also on to grow the non oil sector such as agriculture and infrastructure.

“We are working to improve our non-oil tax revenue collection.

Recently, we hired international consultants to conduct a diagnostic exercise on the bottlenecks in our tax collection process.

“They compared our official registry of companies at CAC to the official taxpayers’ database at FIRS. “The result was that 75 per cent of registered firms were actually not in the tax system, in addition about 65 per cent of registered tax payers had not filled their tax returns in the past two years.

“Overall, it was estimated that an additional N80 billion could be obtained if we improved our tax

systems, given the recent decline in our oil revenues. This is additional money which is urgently needed.’’

Okonjo- Iweala also stressed the need for all states to adopt the Fiscal Responsibility Commission 2007 Act. “We need to cooperate more on our fiscal policies since all tiers of government operate in the same economy.

“We will need to coordinate more on how we spend our money, what we spend on and also when we spend it on.

“This will help us manage liquidity in the economy and keep our macro-economic indicators stable,” she said.

In his remarks, Vice President Namadi Sambo, said that there was the need to reduce recurrent expenditure to sustainable levels, while increasing capital projects.

Sambo was represented by the Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsudeen Usman. (NAN)

he Federal Government has concluded plans to empower young entrepreneurs through its Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme, (IYEEP), in collaboration with Mara foundation.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Youth Empowerment, Ambassador Obinna Adim.

According to him, the partnership between the Federal Government and Mara foundation was essentially to proffer a formidable base to empower youths throughout the country and ultimately provide a solution for youth leadership and development.

“The mentorship programme will serve as a provider of non-formal education aimed at bridging the gap between school and life after school, enhancing young people’s potential for success by making them approach life as entrepreneurs,” he affirmed.

He said these support services are expected to transform entrepreneurs’ business ideas into profitable and thriving business entities that will employ other Nigerians and contribute to local, state and national economies.

Adim noted that IYEEP was the youth transformation initiative of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan stressing that the Mara mentorship platform will be an important part of the overall IYEEP initiative to economically empower the Nigerian youth through the mentorship programme and launch pads, which provide incubation centers for SMEs and solopreneurs who otherwise would not be able to afford professional office space.

He observed that the mentorship platform is currently accessible online, but will shortly be launched as a mobile application for smartphones with the objective to create a truly active and connected entrepreneurial community for youth across Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 23

Stock Watch

Report as at Wednesday, August 14, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 24

20 minutes with Bill Clinton - Up against ‘Big Poppa’ F

ormer US President Bill Clinton has been travelling around Africa with his daughter, Chelsea, visiting Clinton Foundation projects. He spoke to the BBC’s Komla Dumor about Obama’s legacy in Africa and the growing influence of China.

I met Bill Clinton in Zanzibar. The interview took place in a small open park near the Indian Ocean.

As I waited, I recalled the comments of one of my former schoolmates, a big Texan who worked in the Clinton White House.

When I told him I was going to interview his ex boss he exclaimed with: “Hoss! You’re going up against big poppa.”

Mr. Clinton’s people had offered 20 minutes. Around 4pm without much fanfare the 42nd president of the United States walked across the street from a hotel where he had been having lunch. Under the watchful eye of his Secret Service detail he strolled up to me and shook my hand.

Mr. Clinton is a tall man, 6ft 2in (1.88m). He has aged considerably, carries much less weight than during his presidency. He is now a vegetarian and has had some well publicised health issues. But his sharpness of mind was immediately evident. We stood there for a moment sizing each other up. He held me by the hand and started speaking.

In 2010 Ghana beat the USA in a football match at the World Cup in South Africa. Bill Clinton was there, he remembered the game. He talked about players and moments that I had long forgotten. He was not happy with the outcome but conceded: “You guys deserved to win.”

So, what about President Obama’s record in Africa?

The president has been criticised for what some call an incoherent Africa policy.

Would Obama leave a lasting legacy for the continent like George Bush’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) or Bill Clinton’s African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)?

Mr. Clinton spoke of his support for President Paul Kagame of Rwanda

“I think he does have a good legacy,” says Mr. Clinton, “but I do think when he took office our economy, the wheels were coming off. He had to wind down a war in Iraq. Then he had to deal with how to bring down the conflict in Afghanistan. He’s had one or two other things to do, but I do think that he cares about Africa and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t spend quite a bit of time on it in his last three years.”

So is America playing catch up - with China usurping America as the preeminent power in Africa?

According to research by the Financial Times, the Chinese banks offered loans of at least

PAGE 25

Special Report

Bill Clinton on sustainable farming in Africa: ‘We can change the world here’

$110bn (N 17.6bn) to governments and firms in developing countries in 2009 and 2010, more than the World Bank.

“On everything but healthcare,” says Mr. Clinton. “If you look at it, what America invests, both in the public funds like PEPFAR and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in the investments made by the Gates Foundation, and the work that we do here. What the United States does in trying to build infrastructure for healthcare dwarfs what everybody else does.

“I don’t believe we spend enough money on basic economic growth initiatives. So I won’t argue that the Chinese are going to get a lot of good will.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing for America if African countries appreciate both what we try to do to help their kids stay alive and what the Chinese do to give them better infrastructures and

I think that we’ve got to try to create a future that we can share with the Chinese, not one where everything is a zero-sum game.”

The clock was ticking and I could see Mr. Clinton’s handlers out of the corner of my eye - 20 minutes goes quickly.

I moved on to human rights and his bold support for Rwanda and its President Paul Kagame.

The Kagame government has been accused by the UN of backing some rebel groups

in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The government has denied these claims.

Among Rwanda’s strongest defenders is Bill Clinton.

“Well first of all... the matter has not been fully litigated,” says Mr. Clinton.

“Secondly it’s complicated by the fact that the section of Congo near Rwanda is full of people who perpetrated the genocide, who spurned the president’s offer to come home and not go to prison and you can’t get around the fact that the economic

and social gains in Rwanda have been nothing short of astonishing under Kagame, and he says he’s going to leave when his time’s up.

“So, I understand that there are some people in the human rights community who believe that every good thing that has happened in Rwanda should be negated by what they allege that they have done in the eastern Congo.”

It was over; at least officially. We got up and we started to stroll along the

promenade.

“What if,” I demanded, “there was another race for the White House in 2016, with Hillary?”

He laughed. “If I knew the answer I wouldn’t tell you. Happily I can be honest, I don’t know... I’m for whatever my wife wants

to do.

“I didn’t know if I had one more race left in me the last time but I thought the president was getting a raw deal and I was glad to try to help him, but whatever happens there I’m going to keep doing this. This is what my job is. I love this job, I

love doing this foundation work.”

It was time to say goodbye. I thanked him and he walked on to the crowd of people who gathered to watch us. We had been talking for close to an hour.

(Source: BBC)s

“

“I didn’t know if I had one more race left in me the last time but I thought the president was getting a raw deal and I was glad to try to help him”- Bill Clinton Clinton says he does not know if his wife will run for president in 2016

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 27

Mother Earth

Can FG give us the true ecological state of Nigeria?

I

n 1976, the Federal G o v e r n m e n t commissioned the study of the ecological state of the country.

The study, which was meant to find out more about the ecological state of the country, was carried out by FORMECU between 1976 and 1995, and the report entitled, “Nigeria Land-Use and Vegetation Maps”, was submitted to the authority that commissioned it for appropriate action.

When I stumbled on the report that was not made public in 2003, I did a cover story headlined: “We shall meet at the Benue-Belt.”

The report gives an over-view of the Nigeria Ecosystems. It proclaims that between 100 and 150 years from now, only “Benue-Belt” would likely remain of the Nigeria’s landmass, should we remain lukewarm to the increasing menace of the various ecological problems that are eating out the heart of our landmass like cancer.

Going by the report, Nigeria’s landmass is going through a dismal tunnel, and if not checked, the end which is, “the Benue-Belt”. It is not an alarmist’s talk. Taking a cursory look at the ‘Nigeria Land-Use and Vegetation Maps,’ would make your heart skip. We may be lukewarm believing that our generation would not reap from our present uncaring attitudes towards the conservation and protection

Environment Minister, Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia of our environment.

The report emphasised, that if the seriousness ecological problems deserve was not given, generations of our children and grand-children would find themselves within the “Benue-Belt”, with their number heavily depleted, to perhaps 2.5 million from the present 160 million people in Nigeria.

It stated that, “Out of Nigeria’s total land area of 923,768 km, 698,462 km or 75.6 percent is prone to one type of ecological problems or another.”

According to the report, the arid-zone has extended south-ward from latitude

Ecological state of an area in the Niger-Delta

120N to latitude 10 30 N. Main areas affected are Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto and Yobe states, which is characterised by harsh climate with a long intense dry season coupled with disastrous drought and a short erratic unreliable raining season that last for about 120 days every year.

Desertification is the bane of the Sahel and SudanSavannah Ecological Zone as classified by the Federal Government, comprised of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Gombe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.

The southern borders of the Sahel and Sudan

Ecological Zone had moved from 50 to 100 km south of their positions since 1978.

Lake Chad which has been predicted could vanish in this century if action is not taken, has receded beyond the borders of Nigeria and remains so far most of the year.

Other rivers that have been adversely affected are Komadogo, Yobe, Gongola, Sokoto-Rima, and HadejiaJama’are. In addition the main areas affected are Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano and Yobe.

Desertification, it stated has increased from 1.1 million hectares in 1978 to two million in 1995. Sand dunes in areas of Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto and Yobe states have increased to 480,000 hectres in 1995 from 80,000 hectres in 1978. Now doubt that today’s figure would have been twice what it was in 1995.

In the same report, the estimated soil erosion occurrence in Nigeria is wind erosion, which is predominantly in the north with high velocity wind that is most active during the dry season. This, it stated, covers 127,218km2 and gully erosion which is nationwide, but more acute in the SouthEast with areas of 18,517km2 sheet and other types are nationwide but more severe in areas devoid of vegetation with areas of 552,727km2.

The main areas affected by gully erosion are Anambra, Bauchi, Borno,

Ambrose Inusa Sule,

mnes

ENVIRONMENT WATCH globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Imo and virtually the whole Niger Delta region.

Over the years, efforts have been made at different levels of government to control this myriad of environmental problems.

Most of the efforts so far have been in the area of study and documentation without giving them the attention they deserve in terms of control measures.

In the first place, a study supposed to be a piece of work that is done to find out more about a particular problem. In this instance, the study was commissioned by the federal government to find out more about the ecological state of the country.

After such a study and report made available to the authority that commissioned it, mechanisms were supposed to be put in place, for programs of action. As it were, don’t be surprised that the report would have gathered enough dust in the file cabinet of the authority that supposed to, ab initio, map out programs of action to check-mate these avoidable eco-problems for the generation that would succeed us. That’s what usually happens in our clime.

Though, there may have been a long list of efforts by the government at different levels to protect and

conserve our environment; the question is: Are these efforts actually geared towards a long term to attain sustainable development for generations that would succeed us?

Looking at all the efforts made so far in this country towards environmental sustainability, I have not seen anything futuristic in their designs and contents.

Unless something is done now by the authorities to check the metastasizing environmental problems in the country, in order to avoid going through the dismal tunnel, the end, which the report has already predicted.

Authority should engage in efforts to salvage the environment and avert a cataclysmic end.

There’s no doubt that the simple reason why we have gotten to this precarious state of our environment is that past administrations did little or nothing to reverse this downward trend with billions of Naira meant for ecological problems annually, either been diverted or out-rightly embezzled.

If we do not want our children’s children to meet at the ‘Benue-Belt’ with their number heavily reduced, we should, as a matter of urgency, embark on a very serious action programmes to curtail the prevailing ecological problems.

Tomorrow might be too late.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 26

Mother Earth Expert tasks FG on environment, disaster Stories by Mohammed Kandi

A

n environmentalist with the University of Ibadan College Hospital (UCH), Prof. Oladipupo Akinkugbe, has called on the Federal Government and stakeholders in disaster management to inculcate the habit of planning to mitigate the impact of disasters.

Akinkugbe, who noted that proper disaster management should be continuous process, however, challenged Nigeria’s policy makers to create adequate environment for development.

He made the disclosure recently at in Ibadan, during the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo state Chapter.

“My vision for the nation is optimistic because I believe things will work out well for the country in the future; but we have to put ourselves in order. It is important

that we create an environment where fortune can smile on us because we have all the resources that can be provided in any country.

“We need a critical hand of leadership to help us along and leadership is just not one man, it is a team,’’ Akinkugbe said.

According to him, “Disasters such as fire, air and road traffic crashes, flooding and building mishaps cannot be compared with major natural disasters such as tsunamis.”

“We are lucky not to have had a major occurrence that can affect hundreds of thousands because we probably won’t be able to cope,’’ Akinkugbe, who presided over the meeting, said.

He identified two major components needed in curtailing disasters-- preparation and management, saying “All the stakeholders in disaster management must have regular meetings to review areas for improvement.”

EU donates 14.25m Euros for water, sanitation - UNICEF

A

gainst the backdrop of protracted search for potable water and appalling health condition of citizens due to bad sanitation, the European Union (EU) has allotted 14.25 million Euros to Nigeria through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The funds, according to Mr. Kanan Nadar, the UNICEF head of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), had been provided for the improvement of the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors.

Nadar, who informed that the amount was allocated to the sectors as part of the EU support to improve sanitation in the country, said that the money would be used to execute projects in three states — Plateau, Adamawa and Ekiti.

He the three states were selected to benefit from the donation following reports that they were rated lower than 30 per cent in sanitation coverage.

“14.25 million euro was the specific allocation for the WASH sector and looking at three states which are Plateau, Ekiti and Adamawa. The EU support to the Nigeria WASH sector had always been there for some time and some of these states like Plateau, Ekiti and Adamawa have been part of the support.

“If you look at Plateau and Ekiti, their coverage for water and sanitation together is less than 20

per cent; for Adamawa it’s about 27.2 per cent. If you look at sanitation, except for Adamawa which is 36 per cent, others are less hitting 26.9 per cent, which is less than the average of 31 per cent, he explained.

According to him, “The project is at the inception stage currently, which is establishing baseline and assisting local government areas in the states to double their investment plan.”

He noted that the present stage would take about one year, adding that the project would run for five years for the desired goal to be achieved.

Nadar also disclosed that the aim of the project was to achieve complete Open Defecation-Free status in these states and to provide adequate access to water supply.

He said that the EU was also supporting 14 other states in the country through UNICEF, to ensure total sanitation coverage and adequate access to good water supply.

The WASH chief noted that Nigeria accounted for a significant portion the high mortality rate of children under the age of five in Africa.

He added that the absence of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Departments in many local government areas in the country constituted a major challenge to UNICEF’s work.

A vast land areas submerged by floods in Kogi State in 2012

FG lauds ‘Coal to Power Project’ c’ttee …to generate 30% electricity supply

M

inister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada has commended the Ministerial Committee on ‘Coal to Power Project’ for its commitment towards the realisation of the proposed 30 per cent electricity generation from coal fired power plants.

The minister, according to a statement by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Press, Marshall H. Gundu, gave the commendation for the timely a report by the committee.

He recalled that the Committee was set up to ensure that information relating to all coal locations in the country are harnessed, adding that “this is to know the level of information we have on them and what level of information we require.”

Sada said: “The type and quality coal resource in Nigeria is of power producing type, which is widely acknowledged. About two private investors have indicated interest in taking up some of the coal locations we have in the country.”

He informed that the forthcoming Special Mining Retreat, to be chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan would focus on coal to power project.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee and the DirectorGeneral, Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Mohammed Amate, during the official presentation of the report called for the revitalization of coal industry to meet the yearnings of the masses.

Amate stressed the need for more geosciences work to generate more data on the available coal resource in the country, thereby making them attractive to prospective investors and enhance the development of the coal

resource for power generation and other uses.

He said the committee observed that the coal to power initiative being adopted by the present administration was simple, more economical and sustainable option for the country.

He said the committee also proposed a two-pronged programme aimed at accelerating the exploitation of Nigeria’s coal resource for power generation which includes.

Minister of Mines and Steel Devt, Arc. Mohd Musa Sada

NEMA releases N10m relief materials to flood victims in Katsina

T

he National Emergency Relief Agency (NEMA), has released relief materials worth N10 million as assistance to victims of the recent flood disaster in Katsina State.

Coordinator of NEMA in North-West Zone, Alhaji Musa

Ilallah presented the materials to Katsina State Government in Katsina recently.

He said the materials were meant for distribution to recent flood victims in five local government areas in the state.

He named the Local Govern-

ment Areas as Charanchi, Kankia, Daura, Zango and Mashi, adding that “NEMA provided the relief materials based on its assessment of the extent of the damage in the affected areas.”

The coordinator also said the gesture was to assist the victims

whose houses, farms and other properties were ravaged by the flood. He urged the State Government to ensure that the materials were distributed to the victims.

Responding, Alhaji Hassan Rawayau, Executive Director, state Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief Agency (RERA) who

received the items on behalf of the state government, commended NEMA for the support.

The items donated included: 600 bags of cement, planks, 100 bundles of roofing sheets, and 100 bags each of rice, millets, maize and guinea corn, among others. (NAN)

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Emergency Update

A simulation exercise organised by the South-South Zonal Office of NEMA on Emergency Evacuation programme for civil servants, recently in Rivers state.

Flooding imminent in 90 LGs in Nigeria-NEMA

By Mohammed Kandi

F

ollowing expert warnings on looming flood disaster in some parts of the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has again identified about 90 local government areas that are likely to experience floods in 2013.

A statement from the agency’s press officer, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, said Lagos, Cross River, Ogun, Kogi, Oyo, Imo, Plateau, Kaduna and Bayelsa states would be the most affected.

According to the statement, the agency carried out a vulnerability study and identified 90 local government areas in various

states, which the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) rainfall prediction for 2013 estimated to have likely worst flooding.

Ezekiel said the vulnerability study was done through NEMA’s Geographical Information System (GIS0 and in a partnership with a non-governmental organisation on disaster awareness creation at the grass roots.

He said disaster awareness campaign was also being carried out by the agency’s six zonal offices in areas that were likely be affected by the floods.

Ezekiel said NEMA had organised a consultative workshop on the 2013 rainfall

prediction that was attended by state governors and their representatives on measures to be taken to avert disasters.

The prediction showed that there would be more rainfall in 2013 which might translate to flooding in most of the states.

Similarly, NIMET’s Director-General, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, recently said the rainfall for 2013 would be above normal as compared with the volume of rain in 2012.

Anuforom said there would be more rains in 2013 in the northern states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and Zamfara.

According to Anuforom, catchment areas of River Niger and parts of the Niger Delta had higher chances of even more rainfall

this year than previous years.

He said his worry was heightened by the likelihood of some communities in Cross River to be permanently dislocated.

Meanwhile, Director-General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi said two other communities in Cross River would be resettled permanently from their ancestral homes for fear of being destroyed by floods.

“We have two major communities that should be relocated. These communities are those that will suffer another major destruction, when the next flood comes. They are Eja, in Obubra and Agwagune, in Biase,” he said.

…begins training of youth volunteers on emergency management

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced the training of 70 youths and stakeholders under its volunteer emergency management programme in Abuja.

NEMA’s North-Central Coordinator, Abuja Operation Office, Mr. Ishaya Chonoko, said the training was targeted at 70 youths each from the catchment areas of Kwara, Niger, Kogi and the FCT. According to Chonoko, the involvement of youths in disaster management was informed by the need to prevent disasters following the 2013 NIMET annual rain prediction.

He said the decision by the office to engage youths in volunteer service was borne out of the fact that they were always among the first to get to disaster scenes.

“We decided to involve youths in emergency volunteer service so that they can channel their patriotism to the country to saving lives, it is a fact that they are always among the first to get to accident or emergency scenes.

“We believe that if they are well trained and equipped with the necessary kits they will be vanguards of prompt emergency response and a means of saving lives,’’ he said.

He said the NIMET rainfall

prediction for 2013 required the involvement of all and sundry to curb the menace.

According to him, volunteerism was an integral part of disaster management, while capacity building among stakeholders is a way of equipping emergency volunteers in carrying out the task of saving lives.

He said the training was also an effort at ensuring that the scale of destruction was reduced to the barest minimum if floods occur.

He appealed to states and local governments to replicate the idea of engaging youths as emergency responders in their various domains.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FCT EMA), Malam Abbas Idris, commended NEMA’s efforts in reducing casualty rates through the engagement of youths in emergency response.

Represented by Mrs. Nnenna Ochea, FCT EMA Desk Officer, Idris said the office was working with other stakeholders, especially NEMA to safeguard lives of residents and visitors into the territory.

The Principal Programme Officer of FCT National Orientation Agency, Mr. Eben Kolawole, said the office had commenced awareness campaigns on the need for

residents of the FCT to have a positive attitude towards disaster prevention. He advised people against the construction of structures and dumping of refuse on water channels capable of causing flood disasters in the FCT. Representative of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, FCT chapter, Mr. Simeon Nwaubani, pledged his organisation’s commitment to building an enduring partnership with stakeholders in emergency response.

He said the Red Cross would continue to empower emergency response volunteers through training and provision of first aid kits for usage during emergencies.

PAGE 28

Emergency Update

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Flood control: Stressing needs for collaboration among flood-prone communities

By Mohammed Kandi

T

he attention of all stakeholders in disaster management in Nigeria have been drawn to the need for proper control strategies against the floods following the devastating torrent experienced in parts of the country in 2012.

Statistics by expert organisations shows that last year’s downpour cost the country a huge loss of N2.6 trillion in the year 2012. In a statement made available to the media by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Director-General, Muhammed Sani-Sidi said, the disaster resulted in 363 deaths, affected seven million people and displaced 2.3 million others and damaged 597 476 houses.

Similarly, an expert in disaster risk management, Professor Edwin Iguisi noted that “no fewer than two million families in Nigeria were displaced following the flood that ravaged 28 states in 2012.”

Iguisi, who is the Director, Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, Ahmadu Bello University

(ABU), Zaria, disclosed this at the opening of a three-day workshop held in Zaria, recently.

At a workshop entitled: “Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan”, the director quoted the report of a Joint Assessment Team led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) in collaboration with the UN, as saying “Nigeria also lost about N2.6 trillion being the value of destroyed physical and durable asset as well as total value of losses across all sectors of economic activity.”

“The overall impact of the flood on real GDP growth is estimated at N1.4 per cent (N750 billion in nominal terms).

Recovery and reconstruction needs have been estimated to be about N1.138 trillion.

“The disaster was caused by a combination of heavy rains and unwholesome land use practices throughout the entire catchments areas of the Niger and Benue Rivers,” the professor informed.

Recently at a training and inauguration of grassroots

emergency volunteer corps in Bauchi State, NEMA urged the communities in the NorthEastern part of the country to complement government’s efforts while addressing the existing menace floods in order to reduce the impact of flooding and other disasters that may occur in such areas.

NEMA’s head of operations office in Gombe, Mr. Apollos Jediel, who made the appeal said the training aims impacting basic skills and knowledge on disaster management in the selected volunteers drawn from Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe States.

Jediel said the volunteers would be trained with disaster management concept, their responsibilities and how they can help to prevent disaster and what they can do to support themselves others and relief workers where necessary.

He recalled that “flooding ravaged 23 states of the federation in 2012, and the training was necessitated going by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s prediction of heavy rainfall in the year and the prediction painted a clear picture of what the nation should expect

this year when compared with the devastating effect of the 2012 flooding that ravaged about 23 states of the federation.”

Jediel added that NEMA had engaged competent hands from the Red Cross, Civil Defense, Federal Road Safety, Fire Service and NEMA officials to deliver lectures and to train and retrain the participants who would be taught on how to prevent mitigate and respond to major hazards in their localities.

The Bauchi State Chairman Relief Distribution Committee and response to emergencies, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Bello, said “the lesson from this workshop is to get us prepared to avoid impending losses”, and advised the communities to stop erecting houses on the floodplains and desist from dumping waste arbitrarily.

Bello said Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency had already sensitised communities in all the 20 local government areas of the state on the best way to reduce the impact of flooding by advising those on the riverside areas to move to the areas that are safer and people to clean their drainages in order to

In Adamawa state, the heavy rainfalls caused floods that killed two people and ravaged properties worth millions of naira.

allowed flood to pass.”

Also, participants at the workshop urged NEMA to increase the number of days for such kinds of training in order to help the trainees to understand the training better so as to train the larger communities when the time comes.

In a related development, in its effort to coordinate resources towards efficient and effective disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response, the NEMA Gombe operational office has drilled personnel of security agencies and voluntary organisations on their roles during the event of an outbreak of any form of disaster.

There is however the need not only to replicate these kinds of trainings all over the country but to ensure that participants adopts lessons and knowledge acquired during the events, and transfer them to members of their respective communities.

The transfer of knowledge all and sundry could fast-track understanding of emergency situations and avail the people with the necessary skills for preparedness, mitigation and control of such catastrophe.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 31

International Yemen leader basks in US favour as drone strikes fuel rage ANALYSIS

By Mohammed Ghobari

A

s Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi cements his ties with Washington, Yemen’s interim president risks alienating his own people, who resent the U.S. drone war on al Qaeda in their country.

Hadi’s White House visit on August 1, a mark of favor from the United States, coincided with an intensification of U.S. drone attacks on suspected members of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Yemen-based group seen by the West as one of the global militant movement’s most aggressive branches.

The State Department also temporarily closed its embassy in Sanaa and withdrew some diplomats over warnings of a potential al Qaeda attack, with other Western embassies following suit.

Yemen at first decried these measures as exaggerated. But it later said it had foiled an AQAP plot which also involved seizing energy facilities and a provincial capital, a claim which a government spokesman in Washington later played down.

Drones have killed at least 37 people in just over two weeks amid extra security measures that have frayed Yemeni nerves.

In Sanaa, a U.S. reconnaissance plane buzzed overhead for hours each day and security checkpoints mushroomed across the capital during the normally joyous Muslim Eid al-Fitr feast.

“Hadi has done nothing for Yemen, except to let American planes kill people whose guilt is not known,” complained Majida al-Maqtari, a Sanaa school teacher who said she had voted for Hadi in the last election but would back an opponent next time.

Long-Running Turmoil Hadi took office with firm U.S. support after protracted unrest forced veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh, once also a U.S. ally, to step down in late 2011 after 33 years in power.

A southerner with a military background, Hadi was Saleh’s vice president for nearly two decades. So far he has kept the support of Saleh’s friends and foes alike and has met little serious opposition - not even from Islah, an Islamist party linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Hadi inherited a country in utter disarray. The anti-Saleh uprising and ensuing power struggles had brought Yemen’s tattered economy to its knees.

Islamist militants had taken over swathes of the south. Many state institutions had collapsed.

He moved swiftly to clear an estimated 3,000 al Qaeda and allied fighters from southern

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi towns in a U.S.-backed offensive.

Hadi knows, as Saleh did, that pleasing the United States boosts the flow of military aid and badly needed humanitarian support. Washington allocated $345 million to Yemen in 2012 and is expected to give $250 million in 2013 and the same in 2014.

But many Yemenis who opposed Saleh are dismayed by the drone attacks and their country’s continued dependency on Washington.

“These strikes project Hadi as implementing the agenda of his predecessor, and for sure affect his popularity,” said YahyaQasseb bin Sahl, law professor at Aden University. “They also channel the Yemeni street’s feelings in favor of al Qaeda.”

A national reconciliation conference led by Hadi is due to conclude next month. Its aims include tackling the grievances of southern Yemeni separatists and of Shi’ite rebels in the north - two groups which Saleh fought and failed to crush.

Yet progress on a new constitution to be completed

before scheduled elections in 2014 has been slow and many Yemenis are unconvinced that the dialogue will end chronic corruption or the conflicts of an impoverished nation whose 25 million people form a patchwork of tribal, sectarian and regional affiliations.

Stability in Yemen is a global concern due to its proximity to Saudi Arabia and key shipping lanes, as well as al Qaeda’s efforts to exploit its chaotic government and rugged terrain.

Yemen also risks becoming a proxy battleground in a regional struggle between Iran, accused by Sanaa of backing Shi’ite-linked Yemeni rebels in the north, and Saudi Arabia, which is thought to support their hardline Sunni Muslim Salafi rivals.

Revenge In this maelstrom, Washington finds Hadi a more amenable partner than Saleh, depicted in U.S. diplomatic cables released

by WikiLeaks as manipulative, self-serving and untrustworthy.

Tensions with Saleh often flared because he offered himself as an ally in combating al Qaeda,

“

while sometimes striking deals with militants instead of seeking to root them out, as the United States wanted. With Hadi, things are markedly different.

“He is everything his predecessor wasn’t in terms of his determination, his understanding of the threat ... his determination to destroy al Qaeda,” said Daniel Benjamin, who was deeply involved in Yemen policy as former head of the State Department’s counterterrorism office.

Hadi must also stay on good terms with Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter and Yemen’s main patron, which played a vital role in diplomacy that eventually eased Saleh from power.

However, Riyadh has deported more than 50,000 Yemenis this year in a crackdown on unregistered foreign workers that is depriving Yemen of a major source of hard currency remittances.

Courting the United States may help insulate Hadi against such knocks, but American support is no longer guaranteed

Stability in Yemen is a global concern due to its proximity to Saudi Arabia and key shipping lanes, as well as al Qaeda’s efforts to exploit its chaotic government and rugged terrain.

to keep Arab leaders in power, as was shown when a popular uprising overthrew Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, a longtime U.S. ally, in 2011.

And the U.S. drone strikes, which infuriate many Yemenis, pose a political risk for the interim Yemeni leader.

Reliable casualty figures from the attacks are elusive, but estimates range between 600 and 2,000 people killed since 2002, with little clarity on how many of them were militants.

“The American planes are killing Yemeni people, many innocent civilians,” said human rights campaigner Abdulrahman Barman earlier this year. “In many regions these planes represent fear and horror and this leads to hostility ... between Yemenis and Americans.”

Critics say that while drone strikes may eliminate some al Qaeda militants, they are further radicalizing young Yemenis who have few jobs or prospects in the Arab world’s poorest country.

Abdelrazzaq al-Jamal, a Yemeni journalist who specializes in al Qaeda, says the drone campaign is counterproductive.

“There is no province in Yemen, no city, where there are no victims of American drone strikes,” he said. “The desire for revenge is growing. This is not in the government’s interest but only in the interest of the U.S. war on terrorism.”

Source: Reuters

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

International

Deadly violence rocks Cairo, dozens killed

A

state of emergency has been declared across Egypt, according to a presidential statement announced on state television yesterday.

The state of emergency began at 4pm local time (14:00 GMT) and will last for a month, the statement said.

The exceptional measures came as “the security and order of the nation face danger due to deliberate sabotage, and attacks on public and private buildings and the loss of life by extremist groups,” the presidency said.

Interim president Adly Mansour “has tasked the armed forces, in cooperation with the police, to take all necessary measures to maintain security and order and to protect public and private property and the lives of citizens.”

The announcement of the came amid a deadly crackdown by security forces on two Cairo protest camps set up by supporters of Egypt’s ousted president Mohamed Mursi.

Conflicting reports have emerged over the number of people killed.

The Health Ministry said at least 149 people were killed in clashes that happened nationwide, with another 974 injured.

However, some members of

• Govt declares state of emergency Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood said the death toll was as high as 2,200, with about 10,000 injured.

Meanwhile interim Vice President Mohammed al- Baradei resigned from his post amid the turmoil.

The military was handed a mandate by cabinet to play an active role in the crackdown, if the situation escalated, which it did.

The Interior Ministry said 543 pro-Mursi supporters were arrested nationwide, in incidents related to dispersing the sit-ins of Rabaa and Nahda. The arrests were made for possession of arms including automatic weapons, and large amounts of ammunition.

AmmarBeltagi, the son of Mohammad Beltagi, the head of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice party, said his 17-year-old sister, Asmaa, was shot andkilled in the Rabaa al-Adawiya sit-in in Nasr City.

Live footage from Cairo yesterday showed smoke engulfing Nahda Square, the smaller of the two sit-ins based in Giza, amid reports of tear gas and birdshots being used on supporters of the deposed president.

...Forces accused of firing live ammunitions

P An army vehicle clears a camp, carrying along a Mursi poster.

By mid-morning, the Interior Ministry said security forces had “total control” over Nahda Square, and that “police forces had managed to remove most of the tents” in the area. Security forces had blocked all access to the protest camp.

In an afternoon press conference, the cabinet media adviser thanked the security forces for “exercising selfcontrol and high-level professionalism in dispersing the sit-ins,” and held the

Muslim Brotherhood responsible for “escalation and violence”.

Witnesses said that after firing tear gas into the Rabaa al-Adawiya sit-in, pandemonium struck among the thousands of protesters who had set up camp there soon after Mursi was ousted by the army on July 3.

The Brotherhood leaders on their makeshift stage shouted “For God we lose our life,” they cried. “Do not leave!

Do not leave!”

...Journalists too, killed

T

Egyptian soldiers beating a journalist during operation by security forces to clear two camps filled with thousands of protestors loyal to ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, yesterday in Cairo.

wo journalists were also killed while covering the violence.

Mick Deane, a cameraman for the UK-based Sky News channel, and HabibaAbdElaziz, a reporter for the UAE-based Xpress newspaper, died from gunshot wounds.

Mike Giglio was among the foreign reporters arrested and beaten by security forces.

“An angry cop walked up and punched me in the jaw. Eventually another cop grabbed me by the shirt and started perp-walking me over to a waiting blue paddy wagon. He was proudly announcing to the crowd of cops that I was an American, and a couple of times he jabbed me in the face with the hand holding my shirt as he said that.” He said

“The clouds of teargas were so thick that from behind police lines it was hard to see what happened in the protestors’ makeshift camp. But the Egyptian security forces lowered the barrels of their assault rifles and fired staccato bursts again and again in their direction.” Giglio added.

Sophia Jones, a reporter for the daily beast,alongside two foreign photographerswere also fired upon.

They were in the middle of the road—easily identifiable as foreign journalists. They heard the sirens blaring and started to run. The gunshots began as they turned the corner to run to safety. The police van, which must have recognized them as foreigners, fired with no warning.

Protests spread across country

I

n the northern city of Alexandria, meanwhile, protesters have reportedly blocked the corniche, the main coastal road. An eyewitness there said it was dangerous to move around the city.

In numerous cities outside of Cairo, reports and photos were emerging of Coptic churches set ablaze. Pro-Morsi supporters have been blamed for the attacks as sectarian violence against the religious minority skyrockets.

Across the Nile, protesters near Cairo University had been routed as well, but quickly moved to try to stage a new sit-in in the upscale neighborhood known as Mohandeseen.

Sophia Jones, reporting for The Daily Beast, saw a police van engulfed in flames and a single police boot lying on the ground covered with blood.

Three armored police vans fired shotgun pellets out of the turrets normally used to launch

teargas.

Back in the capital, Mursi’s supporters have been protesting on Gama’at al-Dowal, a major road in Mohandiseen, a district in western Cairo. Protesters have begun burning tyres outside the Mostafa Mahmoud mosque, according to the interior ministry.

The state-run Al-Ahram newspaper also reported an attack on a police station in Helwan, a neighbourhood in southern Cairo, by dozens of armed Mursi supporters, and state television reported a similar attack in Giza’s Waraq district.

On Cairo’s skyline, huge plumes of smoke were billowed into the air. Police stations were reportedly under attack, and being torched by Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

Train services have also been disrupted, according to Egypt’s railway authority, and security forces have closed the main highways leading into the capital.

A woman stand by her injured son

rotesters have camped in Cairo demanding the reinstatement of Mursi, who was the country’s first democratically elected president and his Freedom and Justice Party was the largest political group in the now dissolved parliament.

Clashes quickly erupted between protesters and security forces on one side of the camp, with automatic fire reverberating across the square. It was not immediately clear who was shooting.

Television footage showed the injured being carried to a makeshift medical centre as well as police dragging away protesters, who had defied numerous ultimatums by the army-installed authorities to end their demonstrations.

Police barred journalists not already in the camp from entering.

In response to the security operation, the Muslim Brotherhood urged Egyptians to take to the streets across the country to “stop a massacre”.

D. Parvaz, reporting from a makeshift hospital near the Rabaa sit-in, said that the people in the area will not be deterred. “No one is willing to give up, and they’ve said that the gunshots are not going to scare them”.

She said the hospital, which has been set up in the entrance of a local mosque, has been receiving a steady stream of wounded people.

“They are bringing in a steady stream of gunshot victims, of all ages, with wounds everywhere.”

“At least four people have died from their wounds in the period I’ve been here.”

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 33

International

How int’l mediation failed

T

he deadly crackdown on the pro-Mursi demonstrations in Cairo comes after more than a month of failed negotiations and several violent attacks on protesters.

The main sit-in, outside a mosque in Cairo’s Nasr City neighbourhood, started on June 28, days before the antigovernment protests which led to Mursi’s overthrow.

Protesters said they wanted to “defend Mursi’s legitimacy.”

It continued through the July 3 coup.

Just hours after the army deposed Mursi, protesters pledged to continue their sit-in until he was reinstated. And they did, through the Ramadan fast and the Eid alFitr holiday, until security forces made their move on Wednesday morning.

The move to clear the sit-in is the third major assault by security forces.

The first came on July 8, when the army attacked protesters camped outside the Republican Guard headquarters, just north of the mosque.

More than 50 people were killed, many of them in the middle of their dawn prayers, according

to witnesses and autopsy reports.

Dozens more were killed on July 26, when security forces attacked protesters who tried to extend their sit-in onto a major highway in Nasr City.

The shootings came hours after a massive pro-military rally called by the army chief, General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Amid the violence, representatives from Egypt’s political factions had been meeting to look for a peaceful resolution.

Senior Muslim Brotherhood

officials deny that they have spoken directly with the army.

Instead, sources say that the two sides have communiated through intermediaries, including former presidential candidate Mohamed Selim al-Awa and liberal politician AmrHamzawy.

Awa’s initiative would have seen Mursi and the constitution briefly reinstated; the president would then hand his powers to an interim cabinet, before early elections within two months.

His p ro p o sa l c o uld ha v e

satisfied the Brotherhood, which has hinted in interviews that it would accept Mursi’s ouster if the 2012 constitution was restored.

“Maybe he’s back for one minute. And we have some sort of agreement that he’s back and the first decision is to resign. Fine,” AmrDarrag, a senior Brotherhood official, said in an interview last month.

But the army showed no willingness to reinstate Mursi, however briefly.

The most prominent major

Ashton (L) during talks with Adly Mansour.

attempt at mediation came earlier this month, when international envoys from the US, the EU, Qatar and the UAE tried to defuse the crisis.

Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, was allowed to visit Mursi in detention.

She said he seemed well, but offered few details of their conversation.

Several diplomats, including US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, met Khairat alShater, the Muslim Brotherhood’s jailed strategist and the man considered by many Egyptians to be the real power behind Mursi].

It was never clear how much progress they made bridging the gaps between the Brotherhood and the interim government. And their work was upstaged somewhat by two US senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, who flew to Cairo last week for their own meetings.

In a press conference shortly before they left, McCain repeatedly called Mursi’s removal a coup.

“If it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck,” he said.

Ahmed al-Muslemany, Egypt’s presidential spokesman, called McCain’s remarks “moronic” and hours later the presidency announced that foreign mediation efforts had failed.

Egypt’s highest Islamic authority, Al-Azhar, tried to broker its own reconciliation meeting this week, amid growing rumours of an impending crackdown on the sit-ins.

...Global community urges restraint A

s the world watches events in Egypt unfold, there has been swift reaction, with many

countries expressing their grave concern and calling for an end to the violence.

A young man tries to calm down an angry lady.

There has also been condemnation of what many governments see as the “disproportionate use of force “ by the security services.

Most countries have called for restraint from both sides.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned a police crackdown on protesters in Egypt that he said had left hundreds dead and injured.

“In the aftermath of today’s violence, the secretary-general urges all Egyptians to concentrate their efforts on promoting genuinely inclusive reconciliation,” his spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

While the United Nations was still gathering information, Nesirky said “it

appears that hundreds of people were killed or wounded in clashes between security forces and demonstrators.”

The European Union has said that reports that protesters have been killed in the security crackdown were “extremely worrying” and called for restraint from Egyptian authorities.

At least six members of the Egyptian security forces also died in the violence, the state news agency reported.

“The reports of deaths and injuries are extremely worrying,” Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said.

“We reiterate that violence won’t lead to any solution and we urge the Egyptian authorities to proceed with

...And a divided govt

I

nterviews with cabinet members and other politicians suggested the government was divided.

The army and police, along with many ministers, wanted to move quickly to disperse the protests, but were opposed by a handful of leading liberal figures, including Mohamed ElBaradei, the deputy president, who has since resigned, and Hazem el-Beblawy, the prime minister.

Despite ElBaradei’s resignation, some of his political allies have already come out in support of the security forces: a spokesman

for his National Salvation Front, which was the main opposition bloc during Mursi’s tenure, endorsed their action.

“These sit-ins, which are not peaceful at all, have been around for nearly 48 days, blocking main roads,” KhaledDaoud told Al Jazeera.

“We’ve been living in a standstill for the past 48 days.”

In a statement issued yesterday, the interim cabinet praised the security forces for their “selfcontrol” and blamed the Muslim Brotherhood for the violence.

El Baradei

utmost restraint.”

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul branded the crackdown as “unacceptable”.

“An armed intervention against civilian people who stage protests is unacceptable, regardless of its justification,” he said in televised remarks, voicing fears Egypt’s crisis could deteriorate into a situation similar to the conflict in neighbouring Syria.

He called on the UN Security Council and the Arab League to take immediate steps to stop a “massacre” in Egypt, saying international silence had paved the way for the Egyptian authorities deadly crackdown.

“The international community, especially the UN Security Council and Arab League, must act immediately to stop this massacre,” Erdogan’s office said.

Qatar also condemned the attack by security forces, with QNA, the state news agency, quoting a foreign ministry official as urging Egyptian authorities to “refrain from the security option in dealing with peaceful protests, and to preserve the lives of Egyptians at protest sites”.

Qatar had strongly backed Mursi, who belonged to the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Iran, also calling the security operation a “massacre”, condemned the actions of Egypt’s security forces, saying the violence increased the likelihood of a civil war there.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 34

International

Koreas agree to reopen Kaesong park

R

ivals North and South Korea agreed yesterday to restart a troubled joint industrial park after a series of talks on the fate of the last symbol of economic cooperation, raising hopes of possible improvement in political ties.

The two sides said in a joint statement they agreed to work together to get the Kaesong industrial zone, a few miles inside

North Korea from the heavily fortified border, up and running again and prevent another shutdown.

They did not give a date though.

The reopening of Kaesong is seen as addressing the political interests of the democratic South and the economic interests of the North, which is so poor it can’t feed its people.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye welcomed the decision,

saying she hoped “today’s talks will be the beginning of a new start of South and North Korea relations”, media said.

North Korea pulled its 53,000 workers out of the park at the height of tension between the two sides in April, with the North threatening the United States and the South with nuclear attack.

Kaesong, with investors from South Korea, was a rare source of hard currency for the reclusive

Head of the South Korean working-level delegation Kim Ki Woong (R) shakes hands with hisNorth Korean counterpart Park Chol Su following the agreement.

North.

North Korea and the South, one of the world’s richest countries, are technically still at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended not in a treaty but a truce.

“South and North guarantee the industrial zone’s normal operation ... without influence of any kind from the political situation,” the two sides said in the statement, noting that they would jointly try to attract overseas investors.

Since it opened in 2004, the Kaesong complex has generated about $90 million annually in wages paid directly to the North’s state agency that manages the zone.

Most of the people employed by the South Korean companies were women on assembly lines.

Lee Sang-man, a professor at South Korea’s ChungAng University and an expert on North Korea’s economy said “Today’s agreement untangled knots.

Kaesong will be more solid than before”.

Last week, North Korea said it would reopen the industrial zone just minutes after South Korea signaled it was willing to let it close for good.

This year, North Korea threatened nuclear strikes against the South and the United States after the United Nations tightened sanctions against it for conducting its third nuclear test in February.

But the threats largely ended in late April.

Euro zone pulls out of recession

T

he economies of Germany and France grew faster than expected in the second quarter, bettering a widely heralded expansion in the United States and pulling the euro zone out of a one and a half yearlong recession.

The increased pace was primarily driven by renewed business and consumer spending in the 17-country bloc’s two largest economies. The euro zone economy was fragile overall, however, with some countries, notably Spain and Italy, still struggling.

European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said the data released yesterday showing 0.3 percent euro zone growth for the three months to June meant a nascent recovery was on a more solid footing.

But he said there was no room for

complacency and that maintaining pace depended on “avoiding new political crises and detrimental market turbulence”.

The euro zone has been in a debt crisis for more than 3-1/2 years.

Germany, the bloc’s economic powerhouse, grew 0.7 percent, its

The Eurozone has been in recession for more than a year and a half.

largest expansion in more than a year, thanks largely to domestic private and public consumption.

France’s economy expanded 0.5 percent, pulling out of a shallow recession to post its strongest quarterly growth since early 2011. The turnaround was driven by consumer spending and industrial output, although investment dropped again.

French and German growth compared with a second-quarter expansion of around 0.4 percent in the United States, considered one of the bright spots of the global recovery.

Improvement was noticeable elsewhere in the bloc. Bailed-out Portugal’s GDP leapt 1.1 percent in the quarter, its strongest in almost three years, due to higher exports and the easing of a previous investment slump.

E/Americas and A/Middle East

BP sues US government

B

ritish energy giant BP is suing the US government for banning it from federal contracts after the deadly 2010 Deepwater Horizon disasterintheGulfofMexico,documents showed.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year barred BP from competing for new federal contracts following the catastrophic accident three years ago, which left 11 people dead and sent millions of barrels of oil churning into the Gulf.

The EPA decision, citing BP’s “lack of business integrity,” came after BP agreed to pay a record $4.5bn last November to settle criminal charges arising from the case.

The lawsuit filed this week by BP in federal court in Texas has challenged the EPA ban, arguing it surpassed the agency’s authority and constituted an abuse of power.

“EPA’s decision to suspend did not address the overwhelming evidence and record of BP’s present responsibility as a governmentcontractorandleaseholder,” the lawsuit documents stated.

It “did not attempt to explain how or why immediate suspension was necessary to protect the public interest, as federal law requires”.

BP argued that the company has already been punished for the oil spill and faces “irreparable harm” if the bans are not lifted.

The British energy giant has paid several billion dollars in various settlements since the disaster.

It labelled the EPA’s action “punitive, arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of EPA’s discretion”.

Around 4.9 million barrels of oil gushed into the Gulf over a threemonth period following the April 2010 explosion aboard the offshore rig, devastating the region’s environment and economy.

BP has resolved thousands of lawsuits linked to the disaster out of court, including the record $4.5bn deal withtheUSgovernmenttosettlecriminal charges, and a $7.8bn settlement with people and businesses affected by the spill.

BP spent more than $14bn on the response and cleanup and paid another $10bn to businesses, individuals and local governments that did not join the class action lawsuit.

Talks resume as Israel frees Palestinian prisoners

I

sraeli and Palestinian negotiators were due to reconvene U.S.-brokered peace talks in Jerusalem yesterday amid little fanfare and low expectations, dogged by plans for more Jewish settler homes on occupied land.

The resumption of negotiations, after a first round in Washington last month that ended a three-year standoff over Jewish settlement building, follows Palestinian celebrations overnight as Israel released 26 of their jailed brethren.

Optimism was in short supply before the two sides’ first official meeting in Jerusalem, a holy city at the heart of their conflict, in nearly

five years, with the session expected to focus on setting an agenda for the talks.

“Israel will resort to feints and evasion and put up impossible demands in order to say that these negotiations are fruitless and to continue its policy of stealing land as it has done until this moment,” Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian official tasked by President Mahmoud Abbas to comment on the talks.

Israeli cabinet minister Yaakov Peri said a “long and exhausting trek” toward a peace deal lay ahead. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has set a goal of nine months for an agreement to be reached.

“Both for the Palestinians and for

us, the hourglass is running out. We will not have many more opportunities to resolve this dispute,” Peri told Army Radio.

Hoping to avoid any public wrangling in the talks, officials have said few details would be released.

There was no official word on where they would take place in Jerusalem or what time they would begin.

In the small hours of yesterday, Israel freed the 26 Palestinians jailed between 1985 and 2001, many for deadly attacks on Israelis. Their release helped to pave the way towards talks but caused anguish among many Israelis.

A prisoner re-uniting with his wife yesterday

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 35

Strange World More than 100,000 apply to live on Mars

as Spontaneous Human Combustion, which causes his body to burn without any external source of ignition.

Only 200 similar cases have

been reported around the world in the last 300 years.

Just nine days after he was born, Rahul was found burning by his mother, Rajeswari,

who scampered to douse the flames. “People thought I set him on fire deliberately,” she told reporters, but since then her baby to suffer three more

similar accidents. Instead of supporting the family, the community ostracized them, and Rahul’s father says they have lost everything as a result.

Luckily, the district collector called the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital after hearing their story, and the baby was admitted last Thursday, and is being treated for severe burn injuries.

His parents said they visited other hospitals before, but no one could tell them what causes his body to burst into flames for no apparent reason.

Dr. R. NarayanaBabu, head of pediatrics at KMC says “It has been scientifically documented that concentrated combustion air excreted from the body could result in such episodes.

In elderly persons, heavy drinking could lead to the body excreting alcohol-like substance which could get ignited.” Due to an unknown mechanism, these substances are escaping the body without breaking down to non-combustible forms.

Unfortunately, too little is known about Spontaneous Human Combustion (SHC) at this time, and doctors have no idea how to treat it. For now, Rahul is being treated with external application of ointment for his burns, and kept under observation with a bucket of water and fire extinguisher at his bedside in case of emergency.

Doctors will also try to train Rahul’s parents to prevent exposing him to situations that could cause him to go up in flames. “We have to teach them to avoid sending the child out in the sun and specify the kinds of clothes he can wear when he grows up,” Dr. Babu said.

Asked about the baby’s long-term survival chances, the doctors said only caution could save Rahul as there were reports of people who had died of this syndrome in their seventies and sixties.

Just as it bounces on the blanket once, it is caught by one of the men and handed over to the mother.

Understandably, it takes several minutes before the baby recovers from the shock.

The local name of this baby throwing ritual remains unknown, but it has apparently been in practice for the past 700 years by Hindu and Muslim Indians alike in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. The ritual happens only once per year, and is believed to bring good luck to the baby, keeping it safe and healthy. It also ensures prosperity for the entire family.

The ritual is generally meant for babies less than 2 years of age, and is so absurd that it seems to blatantly defy all reason and logic. However, locals are pretty staunch in their belief and in spite

of all the hue and cry raised by human rights activists, and even a ban on the ritual in 2011, this year’s ceremonies were carried out as usual. The most recent baby dropping event was held, last week, at the Digameshwara temple in Nagrala village, Karnataka.

LovVerma, from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, says he is utterly shocked by this controversial tradition.

“It’s not simply the government’s job. We need to educate all those who take part in this barbaric practice – the temple priests and the community.”

However, participants remain undeterred. According to one temple-goer, “Our religious beliefs pull many of us to this ceremony every year.” In fact, temple authorities believe that, “by doing this, kids will be healthy, strong

and live longer.”

I watched footage from a 2009 baby dropping ceremony.

The callous manner in which the babies are handled, I must say,

is truly horrifying. Although no child has been harmed so far, the practice seems extremely unsafe, since mistakes can happen at any moment.

The Mars One project hopes to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars in 2023.

R

ahul, a three-monthold baby from Villupuram, India, is believed to suffer from a rare condition known

India’s controversial baby dropping ritual

D

uring this controversial ritual, the devotee scales the high walls of the religious shrine on a rope, a bucket dangling off his back.

Once he is at the top (typically about 30ft high), he miraculously retrieves a baby from the bucket, handing it over to a bunch of men standing on the balcony.

One of these men takes hold of the baby’s hands and feet, holding the child as though it were a basket.

He swings the kid back and forth in the air, exclaiming a chant.

And then, shockingly, the baby is dropped.

Baby dropping could be India’s most bizarre ritual. Screaming, wailing babies are dropped from several meters into the air, and there are a group of 14 to 15 men standing right below, holding a blanket that breaks the baby’s fall.

One of the babies about to be dropped.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Digest

Need a filling? It may be your medicine that’s ruining your teeth

Medications such as antibiotics, antihistamines and blood pressure tablets can affect your teeth

By Angela Epstein e all know sweet, sugary food is bad for our teeth. Yet every day millions of us take medicines without realising they, too, can adversely affect oral health.

Here, ANGELA EPSTEIN identifies some of the chief culprits — and how to tackle their effects.

Asthma inhalers Problem: Cavities Asthma inhalers usually contain an aerosol form of medication known as beta agonists, which work by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways, making it easier to breathe.

However, studies in Australia and Scandinavia have linked the drug to an increased risk of tooth decay, because of its slightly acidic content.

The key is to make sure the medication doesn’t touch the teeth.

‘If used properly in an inhaler, there is no reason why the drug should do so,’ says Stephen Spiro, professor of respiratory medicine at University College London.

However, the drug is also available in powdered form, also in an inhaler, which may contain lactose, a milk sugar, to improve its taste. And if residue from the powder is left on the teeth, it could contribute to decay.

‘Changes begin with brown areas, no bigger than a pinprick, on the inside of the teeth,’ explains Dr Mervyn Druian, of the London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry.

‘Teeth begin to feel rougher if you run your tongue along them, and more sensitive. Without meticulous dental hygiene these can develop into cavities.’

After using your inhaler, rinse your mouth with water. And as well as careful brushing and flossing, see your hygienist three times a year.

They will apply fluoride paste to strengthen teeth and use a product such as BioXtra to stimulate salivary flow and make it harder for decay to develop.

Antibiotics Problem: Discoloured teeth

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The antibiotic tetracycline can cause brown stripes on the teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before the age of eight). For this reason it is not prescribed to pregnant women.

‘When children are still growing, tetracycline combines with calcium in their teeth, producing the stain,’ explains Dr Druian. ‘Unfortunately the stains, though not harmful, are permanent, so check with your doctor if they prescribe antibiotics for your children.’

Tetracycline is sometimes used to treat acne and this can cause teeth to darken if used for several months.

Teeth whitening treatments may help restore their natural colour.

High doses of antibiotics can also cause oral thrush — an infection triggered by a yeast called candida.

Though antibiotics will kill harmless bacteria in the mouth, they won’t kill candida, which may then multiply. For the same reason, using antibacterial mouthwash too often — several times a day — may also cause thrush.

Thrush appears as white spots in the mouth, which join together to form larger spots. These are not usually painful but the mouth can feel generally sore.

Occasionally, antibiotics can trigger erythema multiform, a hypersensitive reaction leading to sores and blisters in the mouth (and also a rash of red and pink rings on the hands and legs). Although this should clear spontaneously, it may need treatment with steroids.

Antihistamine pills Problem: Dry mouth Antihistamines are taken to treat allergic health conditions such as hay fever. They work by blocking histamine — a chemical released by the immune system to help protect cells against infection. This prevents the body producing the signs of allergy such as itching and sneezing.

‘However, in blocking the receptors — the docking sites on the cells — for histamine, the drug can have an effect on receptors

elsewhere in the body, such as those on the tongue and in the mouth,’ explains Stephen Foster, a community pharmacist from Kent who specialises in allergies and respiratory conditions.

‘This in turn affects the salivary glands, blocking their release of saliva, causing dry mouth. As well as being uncomfortable, dry mouth can lead to gum disease; the gums pull away from the teeth, and form “pockets” that become infected.

Teeth eventually loosen and can even fall out.’

‘Saliva protects the surface of the teeth as it contain agents that can fight harmful bacteria,’ explains Professor StJohn Crean, dean of the School of Dentistry and Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire ‘As sugary foods are acidic and can cause damage to the teeth, it’s important to limit these to meal times; and rather than finishing a meal with something sweet, try to finish meals with something savoury such as a piece of cheese, which will neutralise acid in the mouth immediately.’

Chewing sugarless gum and sipping water may help provide temporary relief.

Blood pressure tablets Problem: Gum overgrowth High blood pressure pills known as calcium channel blockers (for instance, amlodipine) can cause the gums to overgrow, which can be uncomfortable, unsightly and can make it difficult to clean teeth properly. This can, in turn, lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), which if not treated can affect tooth-supporting tissues and lead to tooth loss. It happens over a period of three months or so in varying degrees.

The problem itself won’t go away unless there is a change of medication. If you can’t do this, it’s vital to be fastidious about oral hygiene. You may need guidance from your dentist or hygienist about the best way to clean your teeth, depending on the level of growth.

Blood pressure tablets can also cause what is known as a lichenoid drug eruption. This is where, as a reaction to the medication, the lining of the mouth becomes sensitive, leading to little white ulcers developing in the cheeks and lips.

‘Treatment may involve steroid spray or medication to reduce inflammation, while rinsing with mouthwashes that contain local anaesthetic may give temporary relief, too,’ adds Professor Crean.

Osteoporosis drugs Problem: Infected jaw bone Oral bisphosphonates, the drugs commonly prescribed for osteoporosis can, ironically, cause bone damage and infection in the jaw.

The drugs, such as Fosamax (also known as alendronate), work by blocking the action of the cells that remove bone tissue.

However, sometimes as a sideeffect, the drug can affect the blood supply to the bone supporting the teeth, causing the jaw to become weak, brittle or infected — a condition called bone necrosis.

Between 1 and 6 per cent of those taking bisphosphonates will develop the problem. Symptoms include pain, swelling and loose teeth.

Don’t stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor.

Antibiotics and removing dead tissue through surgery can help treat the problem. Good oral hygiene is vital, including regular brushing and flossing. And tell your dentist if you take these tablets as it’s best to avoid major surgery such as removing teeth.

Contraceptive pill Problem: Inflammation and bleeding gums Some progesterone-only birthcontrol pills can lead to bleeding and inflammation of the gums.

Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque, a sticky substance that contains bacteria. Plaque releases acids that damage tooth enamel and attack the gums, causing inflammation. Regular acid assaults on enamel can also lead to holes in teeth (cavities).

The inflammation may be greater for women on the Pill, says dentist Dr Jeremy Hill of the Ware Centre of Dental Excellence in Hertfordshire.

‘One reason is that they increase levels of hormones such

as progesterone, much in the same way as pregnancy does. It is thought these hormones cause an exaggerated reaction to dental plaque, triggering inflammation.

‘This is also why pregnant women may have inflamed gums that bleed when brushed.’

Changing to a Pill with a lower concentration of progesterone may help. Dr Hill adds that while there is no treatment for the inflammation, good dental care will minimise it. ‘It may also be useful to use antiseptic mouthwash that will help to prevent plaque forming.’

Antidepressants Problem: Dry mouth, bleeding Antidepressants can cause dry mouth because they inhibit the molecules that activate the salivary glands. A particular type of antidepressant — the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Citalopram — can also make the mouth more prone to bleeding. This is because they affect levels of platelets, the cells which help the blood clot.

‘So if you are on antidepressants and happen to be having dental surgery, you are likely to bleed more,’ says Professor Crean. ‘You must tell your dentist if you are on antidepressants. He or she will then make sure they stitch the area after they have removed the tooth rather than just taking it out.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 37

Tukur promises more slots for women

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday assured women members of the party of more slots in both elective and appointive positions.

Tukur made this promise while receiving the PDP Acting National Woman Leader, Dr. Oyibo Nwaneri, who led some state women leaders and those in

the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on solidarity visit to the National Chairman.

Tukur said that the party is bringing in women to participate in all areas, adding, “people are asking for women to be given 30 percent, to me I believe you need more. We are going to bring more and more women in. Is there any man who is not born by a woman?”

He advised the women to brace up for the challenges ahead,

saying PDP being the biggest party means biggest responsibility just as he added “we have to work hard, we have to be focused to earn result in whatever we are doing.”

Speaking earlier, the Acting National Women Leader said the women were on a solidarity visit to thank Tukur for what he has been doing and to encourage him to do more.

“We want to let you know sir that women are under represented and women are asking for more

slots. The National ex-official women members, the state and zonal women leaders are the ones working at the grassroot,” she said.

Nwaneri said that the women are happy with the National Chairman the way he has been handling the affairs of the party since he assumed office.

She also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the unprecedented progress with the number of women he appointed into various position.

L-R: Former National Chairman, Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Micheal Koleoso, Oyo state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, former Oyo state Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, and former Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, Oyo state Chapter, Chief Akin Oke, during the launch of All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo state chapter, recently in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

Offa LG rerun holds Aug. 31st From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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hairman Kwara state Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), Dr. Uthman Abdulrahman Ajidagba, has declared August 31,2013 as the date for the conduct of re-run election in Offa Local Government Area of the state.

The Commission at a press briefing quoted the ruling of Appeallate session of the High Court of Justice of Kwara state dated 22/2/13 in the appeal

suit No. KWS/LGET/2A/2012 between Action Congress v Abdulwaheed Segun Olanipekun and 98 others ordered fresh election into the office of the Chairman of Offa LG. The Chairman, while addressing newsmen yesterday, said “I am happy to inform you that it is constitutionality that is taking place over politics. Infact we as a matter of fact do not play politics at our own level. Politics is not in our dictionary.

“The court had made

pronouncement, we checked our law; we checked the national law and our guidelines and we discovered that we are on the right part.

“Nobody is disqualified. As a matter of fact, we are not legally authorized to disqualify anybody.

Whoever feels that Mr. A, B or C should not contest, let him or her go to court. We want to warn politicians or any party, PDP or APC or any party not to draw us into their dirty politics. We are here to perform our role as

enshrined in the constitution.

“We are not involved in their politicking. Let everyone go to the drawing board, campaign and sell himself or herself to the electorate. Whoever wins will be declared the winner.”

The Commissioner in charge of legal matters, Abdulsalam Ahmed Tejidini, also said the judgment read out in the course of the chairmanship speech was what the Commission had from the court.

Yarima sympathises with Fashola over father’s death

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enator Ahmed Sani Yarima has commiserated with Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State over the death of his father, Pa Ademola Fashola, aged 79.

The Senator, in a condolence message, said the death of Gov. Fashola’s father was not only a great personal loss to the governor’s immediate family, but the people of Lagos State and the country in general.

He described the late Pa Fashola as a “notable community leader, nationalist and an elder statesman who contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria” and regretted that his exit would create a vacuum in the country that would be difficult to fill.

According to Yarima, Pa Fashola died at a period in Nigeria’s political history when his invaluable advice and guidance would have been needed in addressing the many problems plaguing the country.

“My thoughts and that of my family are with you at this most trying period of your life as you mourn the death of your father. He was not only a devout Muslim but a philanthropist and an outstanding community leader.

“But be consoled in the fact that he has bequeathed to you his humility and the desire to touch the lives of the vast majority as exemplified by your numerous ground breaking achievements as governor of Lagos State,” Snator Yerima added.

However, he urged the governor and his immediate family to be consoled by the exemplary and accomplished life the deceased lived while still alive, as well as the legacies he left behind that are worthy of emulation.

While praying to God to grant the governor and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, the senator from Zamfara West, also prayed that God grant the deceased eternal rest in Jannat-al-Firdaus.

He advised Gov. Fashola to immortalise his late father by forging ahead with the task of repositioning Lagos State.

Offa LG re-run: Ex-chairman accuses KWASIEC of rigging From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

F

ormer Chairman of Offa Local Government Council in Kwara State, Prince Saheed Popoola, has alleged plots by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to railroad the KWASIEC into holding fresh election into the council without

following the law.

He said the plot is to exclude the opposition from contesting in the poll, thereby making the rerun a walkover for the PDP. In a statement in Offa, Popoola also dismissed as futile the alleged plot to disqualify him from contesting in the election on the ground that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)

under which he contested has ceased to be in existence.

“Our attention has been drawn to a meeting Senator Bukola Saraki had with PDP stakeholders including PDP chieftains from Offa at the weekend where they resolved to railroad the KWASIEC into holding a rerun election into Offa LG council any moment

from now.

“Whilst we remain confident that the people of Offa will serve out the appropriate punishment to people who see Kwara as their fiefdom and make no pretence about their intention to lord it over all of us, we wish to remind the PDP and of course KWASIEC that the law governing KWASIEC

is that a notice of 150 days shall be given for election into local government council. And this is not retroactive! We hope the PDP will bear this in mind as they plot to impose themselves on the people of Offa by all crooked means.

“We also wish to remind them, as regards their futile effort to disqualify me on

account of ACN having merged into the new APC and thus ceasing existence, that KWASIEC Law did not say that a party must be 90 days’ old before it could field a candidate for any elective post.

Since the PDP prides itself as very popular, it should be bold enough to participate under a free and fair atmosphere.”

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Politics

Why Shema won’t conduct LG elections in Katsina, by former SSG INTERVIEW Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, a former University lecturer, former Secretary to Katsina State Government and a chieftain of the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC) in Katsina state, in this interview with our Katsina Correspondent, Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, speaks on why the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, is foot-dragging in conducting the local government elections in the state. This is as he insists that the APC would take over power in the state by 2015.

Now that the APC has been registered by INEC, how do you feel? onestly, I feel very happy and gratitude to God. Certainly. I was expecting this to happen; I never thought there would be any problem with the registration. So I’m happy and I thank God and I equally commend INEC for being equal to the task in this regard.

Some people are saying that the new party would be facing leadership crisis.

How would you react to this?

You are right especially with what happened in 2011 but the situation now, I believe is different. One, we are now talking about four or more political parties coming together; so the experience, the understanding these parties have, I believe, will come to bear. I think now we have all the time to take measures and also reconcile where necessary.

Like in 2011 for instance, the activities, the primaries and the elections, all were done within a short period of time.

So, there were no enough time for reconciliation, consultations and other things. And now what the leadership is trying to do, if you look at even the composition at the national level, we are putting people of high calibre politically and people who have earned names for themselves; people who have their integrity always to protect. So I believe the situation wouldn’t be the same we used people who could easily compromise positions based on selfish reasons. So I’m sure it would be different.

The ruling party, PDP, says the APC constitutes no threats to it. How do you react to this?

It is just a political statement which is very common to PDP. You see, we are not even bothered about PDP versus APC; the crisis within PDP is enough to push it out of government. To claim that we are not a threat, they are merely joking. May be because they have it at the back of their minds they have INEC, they have

H

security and government funds at their disposal. But, if they are talking about followership; if they are talking about election based on popularity, I certainly know that PDP has a lot to fear. But if simply PDP believe they have security, they have the soldiers now all over , they have the government funds and they have INEC on their side, then they have nothing to fear and I believe they don’t fear God as far as election is concerned.

What are the levels of preparations for the take-off of the party in Katsina state?

Officially, no single person in Katsina has any mandate to talk or to do anything on behalf of APC. So, we are waiting for the National Steering Committee which I believe will meet to take measures on how they will set-up the states steering committees as well. It is only when you have steering committees that you can legally call for meetings, consultations or discussions without any problem.

But, now if those in CPC called for a meeting under which platform are they calling for it? It is only where you have governments on ground like Zamfara, it is now the government of APC, so even without the party political leadership, the government can call for a meeting and discuss on behalf of APC. But in Katsina, it’s not so; we only have elected lawmakers at the national and state Assemblies.

Before the final consummation of the merger, some of you in the defunct CPC met in Katsina.

What were your resolutions?

What we did was just to create an understanding. Even at that time, it was very clear we had no mandate to take any position because there was no guidelines on what to do. But we had series of meetings quite alright; CPC, ANPP, ACN and APGA, we had these meetings some of which I chaired. What we did was just to create avenue where we would have understanding when eventually we are directed on what to do. The understanding is to ensure we put the party interest

Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa above our personal interests.

How do you view the ongoing Amaechi saga?

It is one of the thing that took many of us out of PDP. All that is happening is lack of internal democracy within the party. It is not only peculiar to PDP and it is what we are trying to avoid in the APC. You see, it is wrong for anybody to believe that nobody can come and vie or indicate interest for any position as far as the constitutional provision is met: the age limit, the academic qualification. So, nobody can claim to be the sole candidate.

This is the problem and we want the leadership of the parties and those in government to encourage internal democracy in the parties and that is the only way democracy could prosper and develop in the country. Because if you impose an unpopular candidate, it means you have to even rig the election because you are selling products that the people don’t want. So, when you learn nobody wants your product, you go through the back door to impose it on people.

All these rigging and violence originate from the lack of internal democracy in the parties. PDP doesn’t know internal democracy and they are trying to impose (President Goodluck) Jonathan again on people. Ameachi, because he is from the SouthSouth, they see him as somebody who is betraying the efforts of a particular ethnic group. I respect his courage because he is a man of principle. What is happening is not in the interest of democracy and the country at large.

You are at the forefront of those advocating for the conduct of local government elections in Katsina state. What informs your insistence?

You see, I say this several times, the governor is not interested in conducting local government election for two or three reasons.

One, it is very clear to everybody how they are mismanaging the resources of local governments.

The government is virtually running the local governments from the state here. Take even the grains purchased recently, these grains were purchased from the local government funds but an impression was created that the government had purchased grains and distributed to people.

In many local governments, my own in particular, and three surrounding them, for the six years the governor have been in power, we cannot point at two projects done by the state’s funds. All that was done, the secondary schools, from the local government funds; the hospital from the local government funds.

Where they are even done, the so-called small scale industries that were earlier established were from the local government funds; the fertilizer purchased also from the local government funds. You will even hear stories that monies were retrieved from the local government to the state government for reasons best known to them. So, for this mismanagement of funds that have been the order of the day, the government will not like to conduct election.

Secondly, if he allows local government election to hold, he will be certainly disgraced because people are all out to challenge him, no matter the amount of security he will deploy. He will be beaten hands down and also within his party, PDP , many people were promised that they would be fielded as candidates for the local government chairmanship. In a

particular local government, you will find three or more people all claiming to be assured that they are the candidates the government is going to sponsor. With this, they don’t know how to go about it because it will further create problem within the party. So, they find it convenient to stay with these caretakers who have their absolute loyalty to the governor because they are not elected; they have nobody’s mandate, they only have the governor’s mandate because he appointed them. It is really unfortunate and this is what we want to change. I assure you, Insha Allah, that there would be no room for a caretaker arrangement in any government formed by the APC. We will all abide by the constitutional provisions. I assure you, and I want Katsina people to know this, if we are given the chance to have the state under APC, there won’t be a day Katsina will have caretaker.

Before the expiration of the tenure of incumbent, we will conduct election so that there would be smooth transition and we will not, in any way, touch a kobo from the local government funds. This I know, it will come to a stage that we will compel him to conduct election. If we get organized as a party, we will do that.

How sure are you that your party, APC, will make impact in 2015?

PDP has never won election in Katsina State. I told the governor to his face that he did not win election. He knows very well he did not win and I know as a Muslim he cannot swear he won the election.

It is very clear; this man is very unpopular, he knows it. PDP is not popular. We had people who betrayed their party; who collected money; it is an open secret. Their children were promised positions.

So, all the agents, because they have the party leadership on their side, from the polling units to ward, local government levels, were those recruited by that group and so they withdrew on the eve of the election. Secondly, security agents were used alongside INEC to change figures. It is very clear, everybody knows that. So, the question of taking power from them is just a matter of time.

Even if we are allowed to conduct election now, we will beat Shema hands down. Majority of people of Katsina are not with the PDP. I said it several times in PDP, you only have two groups of people: those who, for what ever reason, fear not being with government and those who hope to get something.

It’s just a matter of time and we are having a leadership that will not compromise its position. We will allow internal democracy to prevail within the APC and as such the election will be for everybody to protect. We are presenting, Insha Allah, credible alternative to the mess going on in this government.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 39

News Extra

Kaduna pilgrims’ board boss resigns From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

K

aduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board Executive Secretary, Tahir Umar Tahir, has resigned his position for his new appointment as the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Islamic Matters and Aso Villa mosque in Abuja.

Speaking at a programme to

announce his resignation yesterday, in Kaduna, Tahir said that, “whatever has a beginning must surely have an end,” Tahir said noting that, “just few months back, Kaduna state Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero appointed me the Executive Secretary of this board but as Allah will have it, after just a month in office, I was appointed Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Islamic Matters and Aso Rock Villa

mosque.

“I never planned for it but Allah who gives leadership to who He wills decided to make them appoint.

“This is the first time the presidency created the office I am to occupy since Nigeria’s independence.

“So I am grateful to Allah for his blessings on me,” he said.

Tahir also used the opportunity to reply his critics, saying they can now put their mind at rest since he

has finally quit the position.

As he put it, “for those who seem to be too eager for me to leave the position, they will now have rest of mind since I have finally resigned.

“But I will want them to know that I do not beg for position. It is God that always favours me because He gives leadership to who He wishes.”

He pointed out that based on directives given to him, he was to hand over the leadership of the board

to Acting Director Operations in the board, Malam Kabiru Kasim as courtesy demanded.

“The new acting Executive Secretary, Kabiru, is one of you therefore I appeal to you to support and cooperate with him so that the 2013 hajj operations will be successful.

I thank the Governor and the Vice President for their confidence in me.”

PDP urged to rebuild its image

By Udenna Orji

C

L-R: Kaduna state Deputy Governor, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga, and Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad, during the deputy governor’s Sallah visit the to Emir, recently at the Emir’s palace, Kafanchan.

Public schools: NASS moves to ensure compulsory patronage

By Umar Muhammad Puma

W

orried by the falling standard of education in public schools across the country, the House of Representatives has said that it would soon come up with a Bill designed to compel governors, ministers, permanent secretaries, lawmakers, commissioners and other public office holders to send their children to public schools in the country.

This was disclosed on Tuesday

by Chairman of the House of

Representatives Committee on Finance, Abdulmuminu Jibril.

He regretted that the standard of public schools in the country is being deliberately allowed to decay by the concerned authorities.

The lawmaker who was the guest speaker at a lecture organized by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) stated that most public office holders in the country, including lawmakers, do not send their children to government schools.

“We are already working on the

Bill with like minds and we will take it to the floor of the House as soon as we are done with it.

“The major element of that Bill is that all public servants from a particular rank and political office holders from directors to permanent secretaries ministers, governors, commissioners, law-makers and advisers, all our kids must go to government schools from primary to tertiary institutions in Nigeria,” he said.

“The truth is that public officers and political office holders like us

do not care about public schools any longer and such schools are the reservoirs that carry the larger chunk of people who go to schools.”

He also noted that bills on social health scheme, agriculture were underway, saying the sectors have been grossly under-funded.

According to him, Nigerian lawmakers must be well equipped with adequate knowledge in order to be more effective and efficient, calling on the Nigerian youth to be focused determined and resourceful in order to be self-reliant.

Kwankwaso commiserates with flood victims in Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

G

overnor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state has sympathised with victims of the recent flood in some part of the state and directed relevant agencies to enforce laws that will ensure unobstructed flow of drainages in the state.

Inspecting one of the waterlogged areas along Maiduguri road in Kano metropolis, Kwankwaso said the government had mobilised all its machinery to assist the victims and prevent recurrence, explaining that already, a committee has set-up to ascertain the level of damage and advice

government accordingly.

He described the random erection of illegal structures on water ways as the major cause of flooding in the state and directed KNUPDA, the state urban planning agency, to clear the water ways along the Maiduguri road, that were blocked by structures such as a filling station,

some private schools as well as residential houses.

The governor noted that such structures were clearly constructed on the drainages thereby disrupting their free flow, stressing that government is all out to ensure that such structures were removed to save the state capital from intermittent flooding.

ommunication experts have reiterated the need for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to embark on effective branding of the party and its programmes in order to reposition it in the minds of voters for electoral success.

This is coming as political analysts say the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has made it necessary for the PDP to embark on fresh image laundering, noting that a communication professional and branding expert in the mold of Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu, a leading candidate for the post of National Publicity Secretary of the party should be given the opportunity to turn around the fortunes of the party through strategic image and reputation management.

In his address at the recent National Executive Committee of the PDP, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, had harped on the need for improved communication.

Speaking to Peoples Daily on this, Iwuanyanwu said that, “as a communication professional with over 30 years experience, it has always been my belief that so much of good politics is effective communication to connect the people to the manifesto of the party and the agenda of the government elected under the party platform.

“This is the only way to build sustainable trust and confidence.

What we need for our great party as a National Publicity Secretary is a genuine patriot and professional with the necessary democratic credentials, credibility, passion, integrity, to design public communication strategies in response to the unfolding complex political environment in Nigeria.

“I have decided to offer myself again for election as the National Publicity Secretary of this great party because I know that I have all the credentials to make that necessary difference.

Electricity: Distribution companies want complete condition precedent for handover

By Etuka Sunday

P

referred bidders of the 10 privatised Distribution Companies (DISCO) and the Kaduna Distribution Company on Tuesday appealed to the Federal Government to complete the Condition Precedent (CP) of the privatisation and extend the Long stop Date

of August 21st to September 21.

Speaking through its Chairman, Dr. Ransome Owan, the Distribution Companies (DISCO) Round Table, at a forum with the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, in Abuja, they maintained that the complete payment of labour liabilities was pertinent as their lenders are unwilling to approve loans

with which they will use to remit the balance to the government before the Long Stop Date elapse.

Owan however appealed that in completing the labour issues, the Minister should consider extending the Long Stop date to September 21st to allow for the full satisfaction of all CP items by the federal government.

Other considerations given by the Disco Roundtable include, convening a stakeholder meeting before August 21st to check the progress before the Long Stop Date, releasing the subsidy contained in the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) model for the Discos, and creating a 5-10 years tax holiday for the new Discos to mitigate tariff increases and high cost.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

News Extra

Briefs

L-R: Defence Attaché to National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Brigadier-General Toyin Osazuna, Director, Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD), Dr. Spencer Onuh, and Director General, NASRDA Professor Seidu Onailu Mohammed, during a press briefing on NASRDA’s official position to Godfrey Bloom’s ignorance claim on Nigerian Space Programme, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Misau gets drug addicts centre

A

s part of its efforts to fight drugs abuse prevalence among the youth, the Bauchi state government is to establish a counseling and guidance rehabilitation centre in Misau, headquarters of a council area in the state.

The Centre which is expected to become operation before the end of 2014 will principally be saddled with the reformation of drug addicts while preventing others from engaging in the act.

Secretary to the State Government, Ahmad Ibrahim Dandija, dropped the hint at an annual event organised by the Misau Emirate Community and Human Development Association (MECAHDA) to mark Eid-el Fitr celebration held recently at Misau.

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

Plateau Corps members

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

Minister to partner centenary A anniversary committee

By Albert Akota

M

inister of Youth Development, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, has committee on Nigeria’s centenary celebration, to commemorate the International Youth Day and the nation’s 100th anniversary.

AbdulKadir who made this remark in Abuja described the contribution of the younger

generation of Nigerians to the programme as paramount.

He said that plans were underway by the ministry to partner with the Committee, to come up with awareness programmes for sensitizing the youth on ways to be self-employed.

According to him, “this 2013 International Youth Day is very special to us as it coincides with preparations for the centenary

celebration.

“In line with this, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development is partnering with the Presidential Committee on Nigeria Centenary Celebration, to come up with a deserving national celebration.

“The partnership will not only reflect the significance of the International Youth Day celebration in 2014, but also commemorate Nigeria’s 100th years

of nationhood.”

He said that poverty and poor sanitary living conditions and the search for decent employment were responsible for young people migrating from one region to another.

The Minister observed that the practice where young migrants take jobs from locals in other communities exposes them to the risk of discrimination.

Kaduna shuts 457 private schools From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna state government has ordered the closure of 457 private schools over alleged illegal operation.

The Commissioner of Education, Malam Mohammed Usman, disclosed this while speaking to the media in

Kaduna yesterday.

The Commissioner further added that about 185 more of such schools operating illegally would be closed down in the second phase of the exercise.

According to him, 331 of the affected schools are within Kaduna zone, 81 from Zaria axis while 43 are from Kafanchan

zone.

He explained that aside operating without registration, the schools operated outside the proper curriculum, in shops, half plots of land and in garages.

Usman noted that some of the schools have been operating for an upward of 10 years

without necessary registration.

He warned that government will no longer tolerate illegal schools and will not hesitate to take necessary measures to checkmate operation of such schools.

Hegave the affected schools up to the end of the month to regularise their registration.

Jigawa Law Reform Commission trains traditional rulers From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

A

bout 1,350 Jigawa traditional rulers are being trained by the Law Reform Commission in techniques of handling minor cases and resolving same among members of their communities.

Speaking to journalists after the opening session of the training workshop on Tuesday, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, said about 550 traditional rulers including emirs, district heads, ward heads and village heads have already been trained.

According to him, part of the

responsibilities of the commission include assisting the less privileged in accessing legal redress in the society such as those in the prison custody but could not get themselves out.

He said that the commission had been intervening and getting

such persons their rights to justice through provision of legal services.

Also addressing the participants, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Mohammadu Sunusi, drew the attention of the traditional rulers on the importance of settling disputes among the members of

their communities.

“You have to be proactive in solving some of these crises or disputes among your people without allowing such to degenerate into conflicts that can no longer be resolved locally,” the Emir said.

s part of its effort to ensure standard and quality production on seed field certification ,the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has started the training of 21 corps members in Plateau state.

The training which was declared open by the NASC acting DirectorGeneral, Mr. Olatokun Olusegun, on Tuesday said the aim was to improve on seeds available for farmers in the country.

According to him, “the five-day training was designed to equip the corps members with the necessary skills and knowledge on seeds field certification and quality control.

“This effort will ensure that Nigerian farmers do not plant the grains they inherited from their great-grand fathers again but plant quality improved seeds that assure high yield needed to transform the agricultural sector.”

From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

Nasarawa House of Assembly

T

he Nasarawa State House of Assembly has summoned the state Commissioner for Works, Wada Muhammad, and the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) over the rationale behind the naming of public utilities allegedly with the name of a private company owned by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura.

The House resolved to invite the two officials following its resolution on Tuesday after Baba Ibaku, under matters of public interest, raised an observation regarding the naming of the new secondary and primary located at Bukan Sidi.

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

Kwara Poly has 51 accredited programmes, says Rector From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Alhaji Masu’d Elelu, has disclosed that out of 54 programmes of the Institution, 51 of them have been accredited by the National Board for Technical

Education(NBTE).

Elelu who confirmed this development on Tuesday at the press conference said the NBTE was satisfied with some of its programmes and would endorse the soon.

The Rector also disclosed that the ultra modern e-library of the institution has reach 85 per cent completion which would put an

end to challenges faced by the students since 1972 when the institution was established.

He noted that the school will host rectors and heads of technical colleges across Nigeria next week adding that the Registrar of JAMB and the national executive of the Association of National Accountants (ANA) will also attend the conference.

PAGE 41

PEOPLES DAILY| THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Federation Cup: NFF, Lagos agree on Sept 15 for grand finale

Maigari, NFF president

Stories by Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Host City, Lagos has agreed to hold the grand finale of this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions on Sunday, 15th September, 2013.

At a meeting held at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja, both parties also agreed on a number of programmes that will add glamour and essence to the grand finale, which will, for the first time, see the women’s event also concluded same day.

NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who chaired the meeting, said both the federation and Lagos State government harmonized on several areas such as ticketing, marketing and sponsorship; media and publicity; security and crowd control; transport; prize monies; events and programmes; medical; parade of stars and; ceremonies on the final day.

The grand finale will now come up on Sunday, 15th September, with the Women Final starting at 1.30pm and the Men’s final kicking off at 4pm.Presentation of medals for both events will take place after the Men’s Final.

A trophy tour to selected media houses and some NFF partners within Lagos State, designed to sensitize the world about the grand finale, will take place days before the event. A meeting of the Main Organising Committee will also take place on Friday, 13th September, 48 hours before the grand finale.

The semi final matches of both the men and women Federation Cup competitions will take place on Wednesday, 21st August. In the men’s event, Enyimba FC tackles Lobi Stars in Benin City while Warri Wolves are up against Akwa United in Bauchi. In the women’s, Rivers Angels are up against Pelican Stars in Abuja while Nasarawa Amazons tackle Bayelsa Queens in Ado Ekiti.

Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana 2-0 to claim Mandela Challenge Cup

T

he Super Eagles defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa 2-0 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge yesterday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium to claim the trophy.

Substitute Uche Nwafor netted a brace as the Super eagles proved to be more clinical in front of goal, while Bafana were unable to convert their chances.

The visitors unlocked the Bafana Bafana defence in the 11th minute with a long ball that almost fell for Nnamdi Oduamadi, but Itumeleng Khune came out of his line to make a brave interception before gathering the ball.

Three minutes later it was the hosts who threatened with long range efforts at the other end but Reneilwe Letsholonyane saw his shot blocked on the edge of the box before Tshepo Masilela fired wide moments later.

Gordon Igesund’s side had a much better chance to take the lead in the 24th minute when Bernard Parker broke through on the right before delivering a low ball across the goalmouth, but Siphiwe Tshabalala arrived late at the far post.

The Super Eagles came even closer three minutes later when John Ogu tried to pick his spot with the left-footed curler from outside

Turkey 2 - 2 Ghana Luxembourg 2 - 1 Lithuania Moldova 1 - 1 Andorra Chile 6 - 0 Iraq Estonia 1 - 1 Latvia Finland 2 - 0 Slovenia Azerbaijan 3 - 0 Malta Belarus 1 - 1 Montenegro Egypt 3 - 0 Uganda Kazakhstan 1 - 0 Georgia Rwanda 0 - 1 Malawi Korea Republic 0 - 0 Peru Japan 2 - 4 Uruguay

Ahmed Musa

However, it was the Super Eagles who eventually opened the scoring a minute later as Nwafor beat Khune with a clever back-heel after the ball fell loose inside the penalty area.

Igesund made his first substitution

on the hour mark, bringing on Luyolo Nomandela for Phala and five minutes later the debutant set up Letsholonyane who disappointingly fired over crossbar from the edge of the area.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 68th minute with all three halftime substitutes combining; Victor Moses released Ahmed Musa on the right, who then played the ball across for Nwafor to slot into an empty net at the far post.

Letsholonyane had another chance to pull a goal back for the home side a minute later, he did get his shot on target this time around, but the effort lacked the power and direction to trouble Ejide.

The home side continued to press on for the goal but substitute Lerato Chabangu saw his effort sailing just over the crossbar in the 76th minute, while Parker’s freekick also met the same fate.

Then it was Tshabalala who twice came close to reducing the deficit, only for his freekick to be deflected just wide of the upright in the 88th minute before he was denied by a save from Ejide in added time.

The last chance of the match fell for Bafana’s final substitute Lebogang Manyama deep into injury time, but his low shot fizzed just wide of the post as the Super Eagles held on to keep their clean sheet.

2014 World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria sends security guarantee, detailed plan to FIFA

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, Federal Republic of Nigeria yesterday dispatched to world football-governing body, FIFA, a detailed security guarantee and comprehensive plan for security for next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup

qualifying match between the Super Eagles and Flames of Malawi in Calabar.

In the letter of security guarantee signed on the IGP’s behalf by Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Philemon I. Leha, the Nigeria Police assured. “all stakeholders and lovers of football that the

Force will provide adequate security to ensure a conducive environment before, during and after the match between Nigeria and Malawi scheduled for 7th September, 2013 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State.”

The 12,000-capacity stadium has hosted several international matches

Atuake wants no distraction for Eaglets

T

he Vice Chairman of Cross River State FA, Mr. Oswald Atuake has absolved the technical crew of the National Under-17 team and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of any blame over results of the recent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan conducted for

FIFA INTERNATIONALS Austria 0 - 2 Greece Hungary 1 - 1 Czech Republic South Africa 0 - 2 Nigeria Liechtenstein 2 - 3 Croatia Ukraine 2 - 0 Israel Romania 1 - 1 Slovakia Sweden 4 - 2 Norway Colombia 1 - 0 Serbia

the penalty area, but the ball clipped the crossbar with Khune seemingly beaten.

The action was back at the other end in the 32nd minute when Rantie collected the ball on the turn and cut in from the right before driving the ball from the edge of the box, but his shot went straight to Austine Ejide.

Shots continued to fly in from range and a minute later Obinna Nsofor almost caught Khune with an effort which bounced awkwardly, but the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper was able to make the block before one of his defenders cleared the danger.

Both sides had chances to break the deadlock just before the break, but Ogu was denied by a decent save from Khune in the 41st minute, while Tokelo Rantie drilled his effort against the side netting a minute later.

Bafana should have taken the lead on the stroke of halftime when Rantie raced through on the left before cutting the ball back towards Letsholonyane, but the Kaizer Chiefs man was denied by an excellent block from Godfrey Oboabona.

The home side threatened early but Ejide made two brilliant saves in quick succession in the 47th minute to block a curled freekick from parker before slapping Nthethe’s overhead shot wide of the upright.

Eaglet’s players in good mood

players ahead of the 2013 World Cup in the UAE. Atuake said the results of the MRI could be likened to a force majeure because nobody can stem the physiology of the players since they had the propensity for further growth when they were selected to play at this level.

“Frankly, only those who are

ignorant of the details of the MRI would start blaming the NFF or the technical crew for that matter,” Atuake said after watching the Golden Eaglets training session at the St. Patrick’s College at Ikot Ansa in Calabar.

“What the NFF has done is in the best interest of the country because it would have been a huge embarrassment if they had not conducted fresh MRI on the players who played in Morocco believing they are still suitable.

“We cannot condemn the NFF or the technical crew of the team because some of these players are no longer eligible as a result of the MRI; the truth is that growth is normal since these boys were still in their formative years when they were picked almost two years ago,” he emphasised.

Furthermore, Atuake has slammed spurious claim that some players were picked by the technical crew based on extraneous factors rather than competence and quality, adding that the present crop of officials attached to the Golden Eaglets are above board.

involving Nigeria in the past, including previous 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Kenya, as well as 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda and Liberia.

But the Football Association of Malawi, inexplicably, scurried to FIFA to express unfounded fears.

“With all my years in football, I can say that there are few coaches that are as transparent as the present ones that are with the National Under-17 team ,” offered the nononsense Atuake.

“I’m saying this with all sense of responsibility because we should not distract them by reckless remarks.

“I have personally followed all their activities since they have been here in Calabar and anybody who is close to the team would attest to the fact that the officials are honourable and responsible.

“I have no doubt in my mind that they are on the right course as they prepare for the World Cup,” he asserted.

NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Bayelsa United 4 - 1 Akwa United Lobi Stars 1-0 Sunshine Stars Kwara United 1 - 0 Rangers Kwara Wikki Tourists 2 - 1 3SC Abubakar Kano Pillars 3 - 0 ABS F.C. Dolphins 1 - 2 Sharks Gombe United 1 - 0 Heartland Kaduna United 2 - 1 Nasarawa Warri Wolves 0 - 0 Enyimb

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Sports Onigbinde harps on effective football administration

Omeruo undergoes surgery

ormer Super Eagles Coach, Adegboye Onigbinde has restated call for effective football administration in the country.

“Having abundant talents is not enough for the development of football if there are no good administrators to develop them,’’ Onigbinde, a FIFA and CAF Technical Instructor said.

He said effective administration would help to reposition the nation’s football both locally and abroad.

Onigbinde added: “A good administrator should ensure that coaches, who are the major points of contact with the players, are not ignored.

“Football administrators abound in the country, but they are not doing enough to ensure that coaches are encouraged to source for raw talents and nurture them to stardom.’’

On the establishment of private football academies in the country, the CAF technical instructor said it was a right step in the right direction.

Onigbinde, however, lauded the contributions of Pepsi Football Academy in Ogun to grassroots soccer.

He advised proprietors of the football academies to adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“Most of the academies do not expose footballers under their training to the appropriate tutelage as stipulated by the NFF.

he Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has undergone a keyhole surgery for a shoulder problem at a Chelsea private clinic in London.

His adviser, Chika ConlethAkujobi, said “Kenneth has undergone surgery for his shoulder problem today (yesterday).

“I spoke to him before he went into the theatre; he’s in good hands because that is one of the best hospitals for such surgery.”

The player’s shoulder pulled out during the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and it relapsed during training at Chelsea recently.

Omeruo will now be sidelined for at least eight weeks, meaning he will miss next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier at home to Malawi and he could also miss even the final qualifying fixtures should Nigeria advance to that stage.

Omeruo has returned to Chelsea after a loan spell at Dutch club ADO Den Haag.

Manager Jose Mourinho is expected to take a decision on the 19-year-old central defender, whether to let him go on a loan deal in England or stay at Stamford Bridge.

F

T

MRI Test: We are not moved, says coach

T

Oboabona to earn Sunshine 300,000 Euros

S

unshine Stars will earn 300,000 Euros, far short of a million Euros valuation, should Godfrey Oboabona move to Turkish club Rizespor.

The Super Eagles ace defender has agreed to join Rizespor on a four-year contract and he will fly in from South Africa, where they take on the home team in a friendly on Wednesday, to complete the signing formality.

Top Sunshine official Mike Idoko has confirmed the player is set to join Rizespor.

Sunshine will take at least 300,000 Euros from this transfer, according to fanatik.com

Oboabona

Omeruo

Manu

he Head coach of the Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba and his lieutenants remain upbeat about producing a strong team ahead of the World Cup after some players were ruled out following the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan conducted recently at the Abuja National Hospital.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ordered a re-run of the MRI for players who participated at the last U-17 Cadet Championship to ascertain their status ahead of the 2013 World Cup billed for the United Arab Emirates between October 17 and November 8-since only players between Grade1 and 5 of the MRI scan would be eligible to participate.

The peculiar dynamics of the MRI made it imperative for the players to be subjected to a new test in view of the fact that it deals with the rate of their bone growth over

the course of time.

“We are not oblivious of the challenges posed by the MRI since we started this campaign because the players are growing as it were,” said Garba.” For instance all the players we used during the qualifiers and those who played in Morocco passed the MRI test.

“But imagine a scenario whereby a player who was on Grade 4 in April has grown to grade 6 in July but what can we do than to call on other players from our reservoir?

“We are working in conjunction with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in ensuring that only eligible players will represent the country at the World Cup and by the grace of Almighty Allah, we are on the right course,” noted Manu who is observing the mandatory six-day fasting post Ramadan.

Equally, speaking against the backdrop, Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) assistant coach of the Golden

Eaglets said it was unfortunate that some players who were part of the silver medal-winning team in Morocco would not be featured in the UAE. He however remains optimistic about the chances of the team despite obvious challenges, adding that all hands are on deck.

“We know that this journey was going to be full of challenges when we started,” said Amuneke, the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.

“But we have been transparent enough as regards the twin issue of players’ selection and the MRI test and it is important for the public to be well educated on this matter.

“The truth is that these players have not remained the same since we picked them almost two years ago because they have been training and eating well and their growth is expected but by the grace of God, we shall overcome the set back,” he stressed.

likesof Okin Biscuit FC, Agbaakin FC and Ganiyy Adekeye FC, these clubs have done grate thing to our youths in the past.

“I want to bring back the glory of

football to our youths who have love for the game dearly; I want to support the team both financially and morally to ensure Offa has a club in the elite Division, which is our target.

“I want the peoples to support my idea of uniting the youths of Offa through football because nothing unity peoples like sports, “the CEO of Protea hotel said.

NNWL: Avalon FC set to justify Division 3 promotion Stories by Albert Akota

T

he newly promoted Avalon FC of Offa local government Area of Kwara state to Division 3 of the Nigeria Nation-Wide League (NNWL) has promised to work assiduously in order to justify the financial support from the founder.

The promotion came after the combative boys defeated Kogi FC (10) and FCT Abuja (3-0) in a play-off matches at Minna, Niger State.

In a congratulating message by the CEO of the club Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi lauded the boys for securing the well deserve promotion to Division 3 that the club has been yearning for, He further said that the motive behind the club is to revive football glory in the council by contributing it quota to the developing of youths in Offa as well as giving back to the society.

“Before now, there are football clubs in Offa local government, the

Avalon FC squad

PEOPLES DAILY| THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Eriksen open to Spurs move

PAGE 43

Sports Ibrahimovic to see out PSG contract

Christian Eriksen

D

enmark international Christian Eriksen has hinted that he would be open to move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but he appears to be in no rush to leave current club Ajax.

Eriksen has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and, while Liverpool have also been mentioned as a possible destination, the 21-year-old has indicated that he would welcome a reunion with his former Ajax team-mate Jan Vertonghen.

“I do not know if I am going to leave Ajax. We’ll find out in two weeks. There is, to my knowledge, no negotiations right now either with a new club or Ajax. If there is a good approach, I see as an opportunity to try something new, but if nothing comes, I do not mind staying.

“There are Russian clubs that have called and made bids for me. I did not take much time to refuse. I would like to join one of the five major leagues. I have the view that I do not want to go to Russia at my age. I do not look at the money.”

Ibrahimovic

Z l a t a n Ibrahimovic has quashed concerns he could leave PSG this s u m m e r following the arrival of striker E d i n s o n C a v a n i , insisting he will see out the remainder of his two-year contract.

The Sweden international confirmed last month that he was planning to hold talks with PSG president Nasser alKhelaifi to discuss his future at the club, although he never publicly stated his intention to leave.

Ibrahimovic was linked with a move to Manchester City, but was also rumoured to be considering retirement.

The 31-year-old has once again reassured PSG fans that he will not be leaving as he prepares for Sweden’s friendly against Norway.

Costa signs new deal at Atletico Madrid

Liverpool lining up move for Willian

Diego Costa

A

Willian

L

iverpool are considering a move for Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Willian as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Brazil international is understood to be available, with Liverpool’s Bostonbased owners Fenway Sports Group ready to give Rodgers the backing for a bid, sources said.

Willian, 25, only joined Anzhi from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in January for £32 million.

But the Russian Premier League

club is understood to be looking to cut costs, having been bankrolled by billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov for the last two years.

That means Willian is likely to be available for a reduced fee, sparking the interest of a number of European clubs.

Rodgers has made four summer signings so far bringing in goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from Sunderland, centre-back Kolo Toure from Manchester City, midfielder Luis Alberto from Sevilla and forward Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo.

Chelsea loan Wallace to Inter

I

Wallace

nter Milan Coach Walter Mazzarri has landed one of his primary summer transfer targets with full-back Wallace Oliveira dos Santos joining on loan until the end of the season from Chelsea.

The Brazilian successfully passed a medical in Milan on Tuesday with the Serie A club announcing the deal in the evening. The 19-yearold will start training with his new team-mates on Wednesday as he embarks on a fresh adventure with the Nerazzurri, his first in Europe.

His agent Frederico Moraes said his client was “delighted” to be joining Inter and that the former Fluminense prodigy can look forward to regular first-team football next year.

“Wallace is truly delighted that everything has gone through,” he told TuttoMercatoWeb. “He’s itching to play and now cannot wait to pull on his new shirt as soon as possible.

tletico Madrid has extended the contract of Liverpool target Diego Costa by three years until June 2018.

The 24-year-old Brazilian striker was the subject of a £21m bid by Liverpool on 1 August.

Costa joined Atletico from

Valladolid in 2010 and scored 10 goals in the Primera Liga last season.

“I am very happy with the deal, it is a very special moment,” he told Atletico’s website.

“I am delighted with this agreement after fighting for a long time to win the respect and

affection of the fans, my teammates and people in the club.”

Atletico finished third in La Liga last season, earning a Champions League place, and beat Real Madrid to win the Copa Del Rey. They sold striker Radamel Falcao to Monaco for a reported £50m fee on 31 May.

I’m staying at Liverpool, says Suarez

L

uis Suarez has been quoted by El Observador as saying he will stay at Liverpool, following a report that he may even sign a contract extension at Anfield.

Quotes attributed to Suarez emerged in the Uruguayan newspaper, with the forward reported to have said ahead of Uruguay’s friendly with Japan in Sendai, Tokyo: “For now, due to all of the people’s affection (for me), I

Luis Suarez

will be staying.

Those comments came after Uruguayan television and radio journalist Martin Charquero claimed on Twitter that Suarez had told him he would not be leaving.

The journalist, who is understood to be close to the striker, also hinted that Suarez would sign a contract to extend his commitment to the club beyond 2016, when his current deal expires.

Liverpool skipper Steven

Gerrard said on Tuesday that he is “really confident” that Suarez will not move this summer and Charquero reiterated suggestions that the 26-year-old has performed a significant U-turn on his wishes to play Champions League football.

The journalist tweeted: “Luis Suarez confirms to me that he will not leave Liverpool. The support of the fans in recent weeks influenced his decision.

PEOPLES DAILY| THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

PAGE 45

Sports

1 3

P I C T O R I AL

1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Dimitri Payet and Robin van Persie all make FIFA’s latest stats review due to goalscoring feats.

2. Surrey announce the signing of South Africa batsman Hashim Amla for their final six County Championship matches 3.Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford defends his selection for the World Championships after failing to make the final.

4. Sulley Muntari speaks to FIFA about Ghana’s recent troubles against Zambia and determination to get past them in Brazil 2014 qualifying, the potential return of the Black Stars’ major names, his own reputation and life at AC Milan.

5. World number three Maria Sharapova made 62 unforced errors as she lost her first match since hiring Jimmy Connors as her coach.

4

2

5

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Sports

Sharapova loses first match under new coach

W

orld number three Maria Sharapova made 62 unforced errors as she lost her first match since hiring Jimmy Connors as her coach.

Sloane Stephens beat the former champion 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

The 26-year-old was making her return to tennis seven weeks after her last match, a shock early Wimbledon defeat.

American Connors topped the world rankings from July 1974 to August 1977 during a career that saw him win five US Open titles, Wimbledon twice and the Australian Open.

Sharapova parted with Coach Thomas Hogstedt after losing to world number 131 Michelle Larcher de Brito in the second round at Wimbledon.

She enjoyed a first-round bye in Cincinnati but struggled to find any rhythm as she lost to world number 15 Stephens.

Maria Sharapova

European Tour denies IPC World Swimming: Marren wins gold in Montreal reports of US PGA

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eports that the US PGA Tour plans to buy the European Tour have been denied by the Wentworth-based body.

It has been suggested that the American circuit wants to take advantage of the Eurozone economic crisis with a bid to take control of the European Tour.

Such a move would give the PGA Tour a share of the Ryder Cup and would help its desire to claim a bigger stake in the booming Chinese golf market.

In the current economic climate, the European Tour, which hosts events throughout the world, has struggled to compete with its US counterparts.

Despite it being the height of the golf season, there have been

T

eenager Amy Marren has claimed gold in the SM9 200m individual medley at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal.

Marren, who turned 15 on Wednesday, beat team-mates Stephanie Millward and Claire Cashmore to win with a time of two minutes 33.95 seconds.

The swimmer was disqualified in the heats but reinstated after an appeal.

She made her GB debut at last year’s London Paralympics, reaching the 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke finals.

Despite missing out on a medal on that occasion, she came to the fore this year when she set a new European medley record.

Amy Marren

World Athletics 2013: Heffernan claims 50km walk gold for Ireland

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ob Heffernan won the 50km walk in Moscow to give Ireland their first World Athletics Championships gold in 18 years.

The 35-year-old beat Russia’s

Mikhail Ryzhov, 32, to claim his country’s third-ever world gold and first since Sonia O’Sullivan’s 5,000m win in 1995.

The Cork athlete’s time of three hours 37 minutes and 56 seconds

was the world’s fastest this year.

Heffernan, who finished fourth at London 2012, produced his fastest 5km between the 35-40km marks and never looked in danger of being caught.

He was with the leading pack at the halfway point and pulled clear of Ryzhov (3:38:58) at 40km, winning by 62 seconds, with Australia’s twotime Olympic silver medallist Jared Tallent (3:40:03) taking bronze.

Murray to face Youzhny in Cincinnati

A

(Front) Heffernan

ndy Murray has avoided an immediate rematch with Ernests Gulbis after the Latvian lost to Mikhail Youzhny in the first round of the Cincinnati Open.

Murray, given a bye in round one as the second seed, lost to Gulbis in Montreal last week and could have faced him in his opening match in Cincinnati.

However, Youzhny beat Gulbis 7-5 6-3 to set up a tie with Murray on Wednesday.

Victoria Azarenka

progressed in the women’s draw, while Roger Federer beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-6 (97).

Federer, 32, reverted to his old racquet having suffered surprise defeats on clay in Hamburg and Gstaad after Wimbledon.

Azarenka, the Belarusian second seed, pulled out of Toronto last week with a back issue, but battled past American Vania King 6-1 7-6 (8-6) on her return.

no full events on the continent for the last three weeks.

Ryder Cup star Paul Casey, who is a member of the European Tour’s tournament committee, told The Daily Telegraph: “There are so many good things about the European Tour and it can be such an unbelievable product given the places we go.

Isinbayeva wins pole vault gold

R

ussian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva missed out on a world record but claimed her third world title in a thrilling final in Moscow.

Before the biggest crowd of the championships, she cleared 4.89m but was unable to set a world best of 5.07.

The 31-year-old helped create a magical atmosphere and celebrated wildly with the enthusiastic home crowd.

It was expected to be a close race between Grenada’s defending champion Kirani James, the reigning Olympic champion, and the American, but the battle never materialised as 2008 Olympic gold medallist Merritt won comfortably in 43.74 seconds.

Isinbayeva had said that she would retire after these World Championships but recently reversed that decision, claiming she would return to competition after having started a family.

The London 2012 bronze medallist eventually made her way back to the track to attempt to beat her own world record but the evening was not to end with a 29th world record for the Russian.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

Some Interesting Facts

S

hakespeare’s tombstone in Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church bears this inscription, said to have been written by him: Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear to dig the dust enclosed here. Blest be the man that spares these stones, and curst be he that moves my bones”.

The Hindus of India once believed that the Earth was a huge bowl (to keep the oceans from falling off) held up by giant elephants standing on long pillars. No one back then ever thought to ask what the pillars were standing on!

The first black surgeon to do open heart surgery was Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. In 1893, he saved a man who was knifed by opening his chest and sewing together the wound, which was only a fraction of an inch from his heart. He was one of the first to do this. He accomplished this without any modern medical devices, such as x-rays.

Thomas Crapper developed the flush toilet. In 1884, he simulated the materials a toilet would normally handle, to create “a super-flush which had completely cleared away: 10 apples, 1 flat sponge, 3 air vessels, Plumbers Smudge coated over the pan, 4 pieces of paper adhering closely to the soiled surface.” A fantastic feat of flushing!

Vincent Van Gogh only sold 1 painting his whole life and that was to his brother!

A Japanese explorer named MaomiUemura was the first man to reach the North Pole alone, on April 29, 1978, after his eight-week journey.

Mark Twain, one of America’s best-loved authors, dropped out of school when he was 12 years old, after his father died.

PAGE 47

On April 2, 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first woman candidate for the U.S. presidency.

Babe Ruth kept a cabbage leaf under his cap to keep cool.

Abraham Lincoln once invented a device for lifting riverboats over shallow water.

Leisure

Did you know that the Egyptians thought the world was in the shape of a rectangle and that the heavans were held up by four giant pillars?

They also warned sailors not to go to far away or you just might row off the giant rectangle called Earth.

When the Queen of England heard

this she sent 4 ships south, north, east and west to search for these “pillars”.

When they didn’t find any (because the world is in the shape of a sphere) they questioned the Eygptians and they told her the pillars must have been farther than they predicted!

Clever weren’t they?

Say what?

SUDODKU

PHOTO OF THE DAY

www.peoplesdailyng.com

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013

SPORTS LATEST

2018 World Cup: FIFA demands clarity on Russian gay law

F

ootball’s World Governing Body (FIFA) has said it had asked 2018 World Cup hosts Russia to explain in more detail its controversial new law banning “homosexual propaganda” after criticism from athletes and activists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified the new law in June as part of a wider political crackdown but it has cast a shadow over preparations for the World Athletics Championships, currently being held in Moscow, and next year’s Winter Olympics.

FIFA, whose request follows that of the International Olympic Committee last week, said its statutes and code of conduct “foresee zero tolerance against discrimination based, among other things, on sexual orientation.

NFF commiserates with Patrick over father’s demise

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he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has commiserated with former international defender Pascal Patrick, who lost his father, Sir Patrick Tanko on Sunday.

“On behalf of the federation and the Nigeria football family, I hereby express heartfelt condolence to Mr. Pascal Patrick on the passing of his father, a former mechanical engineer of repute,” said NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

Sir Patrick Tanko died after a brief illness on Sunday, 11th August, 2013 at the age of 87.

He was buried on Wednesday.

Pascal Patrick, who is special assistant to the NFF President on youth matters, was a member of the Nigeria U-23 squad, Dream Team that won a bronze medal at the 6th All-Africa Games in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1995.

He also played for the Senior National Team, Super Eagles.

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QUOTABLE QUOTE It is sad that after 53 years of independence we have no leader that we can commend. The problem in Africa is that when one person takes over he would not see any good thing that his predecessor did.

— Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

FOI: Why it matters and UK experience A

t the risk of teaching you to such eggs, I’ll talk a little bit about why the Freedom of Information (FOI) matters and then about the UK’s experience with FOI. In a strong and democratic society it is vitally important that the public is able to access the information it needs to hold government to account.

It is a principle that – despite the challenges and occasional embarrassment it results in the British Government strongly believes in. Information is power and a Government’s attitude towards sharing it says much about how it views power itself and the relationship between it and the people that elected it. The key question is whether Government views its engagement with its electorate as something that comes round every few years with the ballot box; or as something continuing and continuous – a genuine partnership with the people. A government’s attitude to the information it is prepared to divulge to its people and the knowledge it is willing to share says much about where it stands on the matter; and the extent to which it regards itself as serving the interests of the people it claims to represent, not its own self interest. Freedom of information exists in many parts of the world. In the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, here in Nigeria.

There are sensible exemptions to the release of Information: where national security is at stake; where a police investigation might be prejudiced; where a commercial contract might be exposed. But the broad principle must be that where information is held by a public body it should be available to proper scrutiny.

There is so much mistrust

“

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GUEST COLUMNIST Peter Carter

Peter Carter and scepticism in politics and government, in the UK, in Nigeria and around the world. Freedom of Information is about allowing people to look inside Government – to understand how decisions are made, how much they cost, why mistakes are made and why politicians conduct themselves as they do.

Nevertheless, in legislative terms, the Freedom of Information Act in the UK is a pretty new invention. Passed by the Labour Government in 2000, for the first time it created a statutory right for the public to access information held by public bodies and publicly owned companies. Anyone, anywhere in the world is able to submit arequest.And there are over

100,000 public bodies in the UK to choose from, whether it’s a small parish council, the office of the Prime Minister or august institutions such as the BBC. Any information can be requested from the serious to the ridiculous.

A quick check of requests made to my organisation, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, shows the range of queries we receive. From the UK’s policy in Afghanistan to the cost of maintaining a stuffed snake in the Foreign Office library. About 120,000 requests are made each year. Most are made by ordinary people interested in what their government does on their behalf.

A third are made by journalists and a small number by business. The range of requests is impressive andstartling. Searching the BBC website for FOI brought up multiple pages, the contents of the British Government’s wine cellar, housing benefit cuts in local authorities, prison sentences imposed on women,letters from Prince Charles to Government Ministers and expensesclaimed by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Most FOI requestssimply provide the applicant with the satisfaction that comes from finding the answer to something they were interested in. They don’t result in newspaper headlines and they don’t change Government. But sometimes they can have a profound and lasting effect. Arguably the most

A quick check of requests made to my organisation, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, shows the range of queries we receive. From the UK’s policy in Afghanistan to the cost of maintaining a stuffed snake in the Foreign Office library. About 120,000 requests are made each year. Most are made by ordinary people interested in what their government does on their behalf. A third are made by journalists and a small number by business. The range of requests is impressive and startling.

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spectacular surrounds MPs’ expenses, I suspect many of you will be familiar with this. The whole history of that case could easily fill the rest of the morning so I won’t talk in detail here. But what began as a simple request for details of MPs’ expense claims ended with resignations, sackings, retirements and, for some, imprisonment.

From duck ponds to moats, washing machines to toasters and beyond, the case exposed sharp practice and fraud among some of our parliamentarians, provoking public outrage and deep embarrassment for the Government and all political parties. The FOI Act helped expose the scandal. We are still living with the consequences: just this week the announcement of the prosecution of another former MP, and controversy over a future salary increase for MPs. As a strong advocate of Freedom of Information the British High Commission in Nigeria has worked closely with organisations here to help make your Freedom of Information Act work for Nigerians. Your FOI Act is more recent than ours.

It will take time, as it did in the UK, to bed in. Public officials and politicians will over time need to change their indirect and attitudes, from one of secrecy and the protection of information to openness and transparency in the work that they do. It comes with challenges: former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the UK’s FOI Act was one of the worst mistakes he made. I disagree. I applaud Nigeria for passing FOI legislation, but in some ways that was the easy part. The difficult part is its implementation, and not just for politicians and officials.

Ordinary Nigerians, civil society groups, Journalist, all of you here today and everyone with Nigeria’s best interests at heart need to grab hold of the power FOl gives them and wield it, by asking the difficult questions and demanding the answers the FOI Act says they are entitled to. Citizens have a right to know. However uncomfortable that may be, that is the essence of democracy Peter Carter, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, presented this paper at the 5th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series held recently.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141